CONTENTION Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'contention' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of contention are conflict , discord , dissension , strife , and variance . While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy. // several points of contention about the new zoning law

Q: When would 'conflict' be a good substitute for 'contention'?

The synonyms conflict and contention are sometimes interchangeable, but conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires. // the conflict of freedom and responsibility

Q: Where would 'discord' be a reasonable alternative to 'contention'?

In some situations, the words discord and contention are roughly equivalent. However, discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism. // a political party long racked by discord

Q: When can 'dissension' be used instead of 'contention'?

While in some cases nearly identical to contention , dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions. // religious dissension threatened to split the colony

Q: When is it sensible to use 'strife' instead of 'contention'?

The words strife and contention can be used in similar contexts, but strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved. // during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

Q: When might 'variance' be a better fit than 'contention'?

The meanings of variance and contention largely overlap; however, variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest. // cultural variances that work against a national identity

contention

noun

kən-ˈten(t)-shən

Definition of contention

as in argument

an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate my contention is that today's lower batting averages are the result of better pitching

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another several actresses seem to be in heated contention for the title of "worst dressed"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun contention contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of contention are conflict, discord, dissension, strife, and variance. While all these words mean "a state or condition marked by a lack of agreement or harmony," contention applies to strife or competition that shows itself in quarreling, disputing, or controversy.

several points of contention about the new zoning law

When would conflict be a good substitute for contention?

The synonyms conflict and contention are sometimes interchangeable, but conflict usually stresses the action of forces in opposition but in static applications implies an irreconcilability as of duties or desires.

the conflict of freedom and responsibility

Where would discord be a reasonable alternative to contention?

In some situations, the words discord and contention are roughly equivalent. However, discord implies an intrinsic or essential lack of harmony producing quarreling, factiousness, or antagonism.

a political party long racked by discord

When can dissension be used instead of contention?

While in some cases nearly identical to contention, dissension implies strife or discord and stresses a division into factions.

religious dissension threatened to split the colony

When is it sensible to use strife instead of contention?

The words strife and contention can be used in similar contexts, but strife emphasizes a struggle for superiority rather than the incongruity or incompatibility of the persons or things involved.

during his brief reign the empire was never free of civil strife

When might variance be a better fit than contention?

The meanings of variance and contention largely overlap; however, variance implies a clash between persons or things owing to a difference in nature, opinion, or interest.

cultural variances that work against a national identity

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 contention That’s understandable, considering none of these free agents likely would lift Miami to playoff contention. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Uruguay, which also lost 1-0 to Spain on Friday, and Saudi Arabia were eliminated from contention. — Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 Jordan was eliminated from tournament contention after losses to Austria and Algeria. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 June 2026 The Clippers’ window of contention closed a while ago, and Leonard — after turning 35 on Monday — is likely staring down his last shot at a third ring and a lengthy deal with the Raptors. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for contention

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contention

Noun

But Erwin Chemerinsky, Berkeley’s law school dean, said Trump still won most of the cases the court decided either after oral arguments or through emergency appeals the administration brought.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Ferguson Police Chief Troy Doyle told KTVI that the incident happened after an argument erupted inside the BP gas station at South Florissant and Woodstock roads.

— Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of argument

Noun

Ukraine rejects that assertion and Zelenskyy urged Putin last month to hold a one-on-one meeting with him, but the Kremlin leader refused.

— Reuters, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Four fisher people from Indonesia’s Pari Island filed a legal complaint in 2023 against the Swiss construction company Holcim, which refutes their assertion that its climate change-causing emissions threaten their homes and livelihoods.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of assertion

Noun

Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
In an interview with Mental Floss, competitive eater Yasir Salem discusses how speed eaters will chew gum to strengthen their jaws to avoid fatigue during competitions.

— Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

The interest rate hypothesis points the wrong direction — the most rate-sensitive occupations, like construction, have the lowest AI exposure.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 June 2026
Science is designed to estimate risk, test hypotheses, identify patterns, and reduce the likelihood of false causal inference.

— Alex Smolak, STAT, 27 June 2026

Definition of hypothesis

Noun

True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 6 July 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

Clifford was impressed with Acuff’s ability to play through his early struggles.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
Older students and professionals face an existential struggle to find a job, according to Yahya Alhamarna, a 24-year-old author displaced in Gaza City.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

China has helped cushion the global oil shock, seen its clean energy tech exports surge and framed the war in Iran as another example in which Chinese leadership could supersede the US in ending global conflicts.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
The characters are all in a continual state of collision, their shifting conflicts inflamed by Coriolanus’ arrogantly uncompromising nature.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of conflict

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contenting

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“Contention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contention. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of contention

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