contentiousness

noun

Definition of contentiousnessnext
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel his natural tendency towards contentiousness made him a poor choice for a diplomatic post

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 contentiousness Despite their contentiousness, the candidates agreed on most major policy issues. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 Then there is the lifelong contentiousness with her mother, Marluce Martins Perry, a talented Brazilian artist who reluctantly traded her gifts and status for matrimony and child-rearing and resented her family in the wake of her decision. — A.d. Amorosi, SPIN, 4 May 2026 The theme of the contentiousness was that the Bengals didn’t have interest in offering any long-term guarantees that were a priority to the 31-year-old. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 Reinecke attributed some of the contentiousness to a conflict between economic development and historic preservation. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentiousness
  1. aggression
  2. aggressiveness
  3. hostility
  4. combativeness
Noun
  • Saturday's vote came as the small republic on NATO’s eastern flank contends with growing concern about potential Russian aggression.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • For all their talent, the defining feature of London City Lionesses is their aggression without possession.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • Stunned at first by his opponent’s aggressiveness and the onslaught of personal attacks, Ted trains himself to withstand the barrages and to respond in kind.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Indeed, heads quickly began to turn as the Chicago Bears defensive tackle showed no fear and an abundance of aggressiveness.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • Syrian families in Magdeburg are weighing whether to stay, as AfD campaign promises of faster deportations and tighter asylum limits deepen fears of hostility and exclusion.
    — Kirsten Grieshaber, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This online abuse and hostility experienced by trans people in the UK is part of a broader picture of the UK becoming a hostile climate for trans people.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Transport second Warning signs of heat stroke include dizziness, headache, nausea, severe fatigue, and can include confusion, combativeness or potential loss of consciousness, Casa says.
    — Scott Neuman, NPR, 29 July 2026
  • But there is a far more important influence Dobeš can have on this series than his combativeness, and that is his puckhandling.
    — Sean Gentille, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Definition of combativeness

Browse Nearby Words

contentious
contentiousness
contentment
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Cite this Entry

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

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