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
  • The regime’s final refuge now lies in the self-deception of fearful nations that still believe accommodating aggression can secure a durable peace.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Lastly, Harford County Animal Control urges residents to notify them at 410-638-3505 if anyone observes a stray animal showing signs of excessive affection, aggression, lethargy, or disorientation.
    — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • The salaries match, Strus is an expiring contract while Niko has four years left and the 3-point shooting and the aggressiveness of Max are way better than Niko’s.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This could bring up feelings of resentment, competitiveness or passive aggressiveness, especially if there’s been something simmering in the background.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • Funding for refugee support is drying up, hostility toward Ukrainians is growing, and Poland still lacks a long-term integration strategy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Iran accepted meaningful limits on its nuclear program in 2015, for instance, and reversed decades of hostility toward Saudi Arabia by normalizing ties in 2023.
    — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contentiousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentiousness. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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