Everyday · Arguing & persuading · Politics & society
Contentious: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Contentious adjective. Likely to cause disagreement or heated argument.
How to say it
kun-TEN-shus/kənˈtɛnʃəs/
3 syllables, stressed on the second (TEN).
Contentious in a sentence
The plan to close the library was the most contentious item on the council's agenda.
Pineapple on pizza remains a surprisingly contentious subject in our house.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- controversial
- divisive
- disputed
- heated
Opposite:
- uncontroversial
- agreed
Where contentious comes from
From Latin contentiosus, quarrelsome, from contentio, a striving.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Pineapple on pizza remains a surprisingly _____ subject in our house.
- contentious
- fulsome
- cogent
Show the answer
contentious: Pineapple on pizza remains a surprisingly contentious subject in our house.