contention
/kən'tenʃn/
Definition
Noun: 1. A heated disagreement or dispute: A contention is a situation where people argue strongly about something, often involving conflicting opinions or claims. 2. Competition or rivalry for something: Contention refers to the state of competing with others to win or achieve something, such as a prize, title, or position. 3. A point or statement that one puts forward in an argument: A contention is a specific claim or assertion that forms a key part of someone's argument or position in a debate.
Examples
- As a disagreement:
- The new policy was a source of contention among the staff members.
- There is much contention over the historical accuracy of the account.
- As competition:
- Only two teams are still in contention for the championship.
- She is no longer in contention for the promotion.
- As an assertion:
- His main contention is that the economic benefits outweigh the environmental costs.
- The lawyer presented several key contentions to support her case.
Advanced Usage
- A bone of contention: This idiom refers to a subject or issue over which there is ongoing disagreement or dispute.
- The division of household chores has long been a bone of contention in their marriage.
- In/out of contention: These phrases are commonly used in competitive contexts (sports, elections, awards) to indicate whether someone or something still has a realistic chance of winning.
- After the injury, the athlete was out of contention for a medal.
Variants and Related Words
- Contentious (adjective): Causing or likely to cause disagreement; controversial.
- The decision to close the library was a contentious issue.
- Contentiously (adverb): In a manner characterized by argument or dispute.
- Contend (verb): To struggle to surmount a difficulty; to engage in a competition; to assert something as a position in an argument.
Synonyms
- Disagreement: A lack of consensus or approval.
- Dispute: A disagreement, argument, or debate.
- Conflict: A serious disagreement or argument.
- Competition: The activity of striving to gain or win something by defeating others.
- Rivalry: Competition for the same objective or for superiority.
- Assertion: A confident and forceful statement of fact or belief.
- Claim: To state or assert that something is the case.
Idioms
- Bone of contention: The subject of a dispute. (See Advanced Usage for example.)
Noun
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the act of competing as for profit or a prize
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the teams were in fierce contention for first place
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a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
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they were involved in a violent argument
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a point asserted as part of an argument
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