Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Contentious

Con-ten′tious

,
Adj.
[L.
contentiosus
: cf. F.
contentieux
.]
1.
Fond of contention; given to angry debate; provoking dispute or contention; quarrelsome.
Despotic and
contentious
temper.
Macaulay.
2.
Relating to contention or strife; involving or characterized by contention.
Spenser.
More cheerful, though not less
contentious
, regions.
Brougham.
3.
(Law)
Contested; litigated; litigious; having power to decide controversy.
Con-ten′tious-ly
,
adv.
Con-ten′tious-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Contentious

CONTENTIOUS

,
Adj.
1.
Apt to contend; given to angry debate; quarrelsome; perverse.
A continual dropping in a rainy day, and a contentious woman are alike. Proverbs 27.
2.
Relating to contention in law; relating to litigation; having power to decide causes between contending parties; as a court of contentious jurisdiction.
3.
Exciting or adapted to provoke contention or disputes; as a contentious subject.

Definition 2024


contentious

contentious

English

Adjective

contentious (comparative more contentious, superlative most contentious)

  1. Marked by heated arguments or controversy.
    • 2012 June 19, Phil McNulty, “England 1-0 Ukraine”, in BBC Sport:
      Ukraine, however, will complain long and hard about a contentious second-half incident when Marko Devic's shot clearly crossed the line before it was scrambled away by John Terry, only for the officials to remain unmoved.
  2. Given to struggling with others out of jealousy or discord.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:quarrelsome
  • See also Wikisaurus:combative

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

References

  • contentious in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • contentious in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911