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 Word Forms

• 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

With a World Cup next year, he will need regular football to keep himself in contention for a place in the Three Lions squad.

From BBC

Many people dispute that contention, citing among other factors the commission’s repeated decisions in recent months to approve requests from Edison and other utilities despite protests from Southern Californians.

From Los Angeles Times

The fast exit and a Friday morning chat with Rotella helped him bounce back into contention.

From BBC

It is expected he will be in contention to face Lyon in the return leg of the quarter-final tie at Old Trafford on Thursday and has been assured the change is not regarded as permanent.

From BBC

Northern Ireland's McIlroy, who is two shots behind Rose after bouncing back into contention on Friday, is also using family life as a way to compartmentalise his day at work.

From BBC

Related Words

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