CONTENTIONS Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

contentions

noun

plural of contention

as in arguments

an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate my contention is that today's lower batting averages are the result of better pitching

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in rivalries

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another several actresses seem to be in heated contention for the title of "worst dressed"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contentions To the extent these independent contentions were intended to imply that NBA rules permit teams, at the request of players, to initiate off-court income opportunities for players, that implication is incorrect. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Many healthcare policy analysts disagree with these contentions about fraud, noting partisan politics have now become part of the dissemination of government reports. — Robert Applebaum, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, whose tenure brought team success and three World Series contentions, now faces significant scrutiny over his business practices. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 At the time, Sackler offered no response to these contentions. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026 The main contentions were the state not fully funding public schools according to the state’s funding formula and an additional $10 million to support the Missouri Scholars Program, which can go toward students in private schools. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026 The passing of time is the only thing that will reveal the veracity of their contentions and what some of the underlying numbers suggest regarding the quality of their at-bats not being reflected in their production. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 An administration official would make a claim about what happened, and later evidence would find these contentions to be misleading. — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentions

Noun

The new Type 01—revealed today in New York—will be judged by the same standards, with the arguments already begun and the marque, again, putting its future on the line.

— Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
Those decisions have been handed down after months of consideration, including oral arguments.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of arguments

Noun

There is so much here that is confident and simple in a high-school-biology manner—these are assertions that reveal no uncertainty or any interest in encountering knowledge beyond her own.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Some requests were for DeepSeek’s technology, a finding that bolsters assertions from Congress that the company is in bed with the CCP’s military and spying apparatus.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of assertions

Noun

As 2016 neared, Thomas’ bandmates expected to reconvene for a 20th anniversary tour, however he was focused on 2015’s The Great Unknown, largely inspired by wife Marisol’s grueling health battles.

— Leena Tailor, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
Paris — Students fought running battles with police and several schools were ablaze Friday as a new day of violence gripped France with no end in sight to protests that have rocked the country.

— Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

Earlier studies have pointed to different hypotheses about the formation of the lunar magnetic field.

— Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
Observation generates hypotheses; hypotheses lead to anatomical investigation; anatomy stimulates physiological questions; physiology eventually produces clinical trials.

— Subramaniam C. Krishnan, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of hypotheses

Noun

Expectations around workload and external factors, including international conflicts and crises, are contributing to these heightened anxieties.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Related Stories Set in Yunlin County on Taiwan’s southwest coast, the film follows two boys whose friendship comes under pressure as adult conflicts divide their community.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

The war’s repercussions have spread across the Middle East, including conflict in Lebanon and confrontations involving Iran and the United States, while Israel faces a divisive election and questions over security failures.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Three Colombian former soldiers were killed during the confrontations, including a co-leader of the squad.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of confrontations

Browse Nearby Words

contention

contentions

contentious

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“Contentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentions. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contentions

noun

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