CONTENTIOUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does contentious mean? 

• CONTENTIOUS (adjective)
  The adjective CONTENTIOUS has 2 senses:

1. inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits

2. involving or likely to cause controversy

  Familiarity information: CONTENTIOUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONTENTIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits

Synonyms:

combative; contentious; disputatious; disputative; litigious

Context example:

a litigious and acrimonious spirit

Similar:

argumentative (given to or characterized by argument)

Derivation:

contention (a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement)

contentiousness (an inclination to be quarrelsome and contentious)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Involving or likely to cause controversy

Context example:

a central and contentious element of the book

Similar:

controversial (marked by or capable of arousing controversy)

Derivation:

contention (a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement)

 Context examples 

Nothing contentious, you understand, but only an indication that there are greater deeps beyond.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

No, no; you'll see the letter—nothing contentious, I assure you.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)