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Definition of "contentious" []

  • Given to contention; quarrelsome. See Synonyms at argumentative, belligerent. (adjective)
  • Involving or likely to cause contention; controversial: "a central and contentious element of the book” ( Tim W. Ferguson). (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "contentious" in a sentence
  • "However, he also studies what he calls contentious (eristikos) or sophistical arguments: these he defines as arguments which only apparently establish their conclusions."
  • "Democrats splinter in contentious health care reform debate"
  • "CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Democrats splinter in contentious health care reform debate « - Blogs from CNN. com"