CONTENTIOUSNESS Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

contentiousness

noun

Definition of contentiousness

as in aggression

an inclination to fight or quarrel his natural tendency towards contentiousness made him a poor choice for a diplomatic post

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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

Noun

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2024 that pledged mutual aid if either country faced aggression.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
End the war and aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq forever.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of aggression

Noun

She’s learned how to channel her competitiveness and aggressiveness in a much better way, a more productive way.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
If Yesavage can maintain that aggressiveness over the rest of the season, the Jays won’t have to worry about their funky righty.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of aggressiveness

Noun

Iran doubled down on its demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, insisting that the US and its allies unfreeze its assets and end hostilities across the region.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
As the specter of rising interest rates and hostilities in the Middle East remain wildcards, skeptics are holding firm.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 11 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

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contentious

contentiousness

contentment

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“Contentiousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentiousness. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of contentiousness

noun

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