contentious

[ kuhn-ten-shuhs ]

adjective

1. tending to argument or strife; quarrelsome:

   a contentious crew.

   Synonyms: argumentative, disputatious

2. causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy:

   contentious issues.

3. Law. pertaining to causes between contending or opposing parties.

contentious

/ kənˈtɛnʃəs /

adjective

1. tending to argue or quarrel
2. causing or characterized by dispute; controversial
3. law relating to a cause or legal business that is contested, esp a probate matter

Derived Forms

• conˈtentiously, adverb
• conˈtentiousness, noun

Other Words From

• con·tentious·ly adverb
• con·tentious·ness noun
• noncon·tentious adjective
• noncon·tentious·ly adverb
• over·con·tentious adjective
• over·con·tentious·ly adverb
• over·con·tentious·ness noun
• uncon·tentious adjective
• uncon·tentious·ly adverb
• uncon·tentious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contentious¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English contenciose, from Latin contentiōsus, from contenti(ō) contention + -ōsus -ous

Related Words

• antagonistic
• combative
• testy