contention

[ kuhn-ten-shuhn ]

noun

1. a struggling together in opposition; strife.

   Synonyms: combat, conflict

2. a striving in rivalry; competition; contest.
3. strife in debate; dispute; controversy.

   Synonyms: altercation, debate, dissension, disagreement

   Antonyms: agreement

4. a point contended for or affirmed in controversy.

contention

/ kənˈtɛnʃən /

noun

1. a struggling between opponents; competition
2. dispute in an argument (esp in the phrase bone of contention )
3. a point asserted in argument

Other Words From

• con·tention·al adjective
• noncon·tention noun
• precon·tention noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contention¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin contentiōn-, stem of contentiō; from content(us) “competed, striven” (past participle of contendere “to compete, strive, draw tight”; contend ) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of contention¹

C14: from Latin contentiō exertion, from contendere to contend

Idioms and Phrases

see bone of contention .

Example Sentences

And because the Pomona races are worth 30 points per round, four other drivers — 2021 winner Steve Torrence, 2022 titlist Brittany Force, defending champion Doug Kalitta and Clay Millican — still are mathematically in contention.

From Los Angeles Times

Shumake was eliminated from title contention long ago.

From Los Angeles Times

A third candidate, Florida Sen. Rick Scott, came in last place on the first ballot and was eliminated from contention.

From Slate

The current vice-president, Mahamudu Bawumia, and a former head of state, John Mahama, are the two leading candidates in contention to win the poll.

From BBC

He believes that could change with Ms Wiles leading the charge, and with key Floridians such as Rick Scott potentially in line as Senate Majority leader and Senator Marco Rubio in contention for a high-profile cabinet position.

From BBC

Related Words

• allegation
• assertion
• belief
• claim
• discussion
• explanation
• hypothesis
• idea
• opinion
• plea
• position
• thesis