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Today’s Word

Part of Speech

adjective

Definition

1. Likely to cause people to argue or disagree
2. Involving a lot of arguing
3. Likely or willing to argue

History

The first known use of contentious was in the 15th century. The word comes from the Middle English contenciose, or “quarrelsome,” borrowed from Middle French and Latin; Middle French contencieux, “subject to disagreement,” borrowed from Latin contentiōsus “persistent, obstinate, argumentative, quarrelsome,” from contentiō “exertion, competition, CONTENTION” + -ōsus -OUS

Synonyms

argumentative, combative, quarrelsome

Antonyms

peaceable, peaceful

Usage and Examples

Here are some examples:

• Tolerance is a complex and contentious concept open to several interpretations.
• Families engaged in contentious, prolonged conflict before and during divorce often stay hostile afterward.
• The scarcity of parking continues to be one of the most contentious issues downtown.