disputatious

[ dis-pyoo-tey-shuhs ]

adjective

1. fond of or given to disputation; argumentative; contentious:

   disputatious litigants.

disputatious

/ dɪˈspjuːtətɪv; ˌdɪspjʊˈteɪʃəs /

adjective

1. inclined to argument

Derived Forms

• ˌdispuˈtatiousness, noun
• ˌdispuˈtatiously, adverb

Other Words From

• dispu·tatious·ly adverb
• dispu·tatious·ness noun
• nondis·pu·tatious adjective
• nondis·pu·tatious·ly adverb
• nondis·pu·tatious·ness noun
• undis·pu·tatious adjective
• undis·pu·tatious·ly adverb
• undis·pu·tatious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disputatious¹

First recorded in 1650–60; disputati(on) + -ous

Example Sentences

This disputatious sociopolitical drama is cunningly packaged as a romantic comedy.

From Los Angeles Times

“Stereophonic,” an acclaimed behind-the-music play about a disputatious band recording a studio album, will transfer to Broadway this spring following a buzzy and sold-out Off Broadway run.

From New York Times

Private, internal anger at his failings was a good thing, he claimed, a "disputatious culture" better than a "quietly acquiescent" one.

From BBC

I grew up in a very disputatious household.

From Salon

“It’s a messy and disputatious business,” said Jan A. Zalasiewicz, a geologist at the University of Leicester.

From New York Times