contentious

adjective con·ten·tious \kən-ˈten(t)-shəs\

: likely to cause people to argue or disagree

: involving a lot of arguing

: likely or willing to argue

Full Definition of CONTENTIOUS

: likely to cause disagreement or argument <a contentious issue>

: exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes <a man of a most contentious nature>

— con·ten·tious·ly adverb

— con·ten·tious·ness noun

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Examples of CONTENTIOUS

In the perpetual skirmish between science and religion, biological evolution is a contentious battle ground. —Barry A. Palevitz, Skeptical Inquirer, July/August 1999
Creator Jim Davis had spent two years fine-tuning the contentious relationship between the grouchy cat, his milquetoast owner, Jon (Davis' pen-and-ink alter ego), and befuddled dog Odie—in a strip he'd thought would be called Jon. —Beth Johnson, Entertainment Weekly, 19 June 1998
Historians, admittedly a contentious lot, have failed even to agree on what to call King Philip's War. —Jill Lepore, The Name of War, 1998
My mental attitude when drinking is both contentious and malicious, and while in this mood and state I was the author of statements which I know to be wholly unfounded. —Theodore Dreiser, The Titan, 1914
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Origin of CONTENTIOUS

(see contention)

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonym Discussion of CONTENTIOUS

belligerent, bellicose, pugnacious, quarrelsome, contentious mean having an aggressive or fighting attitude. belligerent often implies being actually at war or engaged in hostilities <belligerent nations>. bellicose suggests a disposition to fight <a drunk in a bellicose mood>. pugnacious suggests a disposition that takes pleasure in personal combat <a pugnacious gangster>. quarrelsome stresses an ill-natured readiness to fight without good cause <the heat made us all quarrelsome>. contentious implies perverse and irritating fondness for arguing and quarreling <wearied by his contentious disposition>.