contentiousness

/kən'tenʃəsnis/
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contentiousness

A lawyer's contentiousness was evident during the heated cross-examination.

Definition

Noun: 1. A tendency or disposition to argue, dispute, or be quarrelsome: The quality of being inclined to provoke or engage in conflict, disagreement, or controversy. It describes a confrontational or combative nature. 2. The state of being characterized by or involving heated argument: The condition of a situation, debate, or relationship that is full of contention and strife.

Usage
  • Contentiousness is an uncountable noun used to describe a person's character trait or the nature of a discussion.
  • It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting unnecessary or excessive argumentativeness.
  • It is a formal word, more common in written analysis than in everyday conversation.
Examples
  • His constant contentiousness made team meetings exhausting and unproductive.
  • The political debate was marked by a high degree of contentiousness, with little agreement on any issue.
  • The contentiousness of the negotiations delayed the settlement for months.
  • She tried to avoid topics that would bring out his natural contentiousness.
Advanced Usage
  • "A spirit of contentiousness": This phrase emphasizes the prevailing attitude of argument within a group or discussion.
    • A spirit of contentiousness pervaded the committee, hindering all progress.
  • Used in legal or academic contexts to describe the adversarial nature of proceedings or scholarly debate.
    • The contentiousness of the legal briefs indicated a long court battle ahead.
Variants and Related Words
  • Contentious (adjective): Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial. (e.g., ). Also, inclined to argue. (e.g., ).
  • Contention (noun): Heated disagreement; a point advanced in a debate or argument.
  • Contentiously (adverb): In a quarrelsome manner.
Synonyms
  • Argumentativeness
  • Quarrelsomeness
  • Combativeness
  • Disputatiousness
  • Belligerence
Antonyms
  • Agreeableness
  • Amicability
  • Cooperativeness
  • Concord
  • Harmony
Idioms and Phrases
  • To be a source of contentiousness: To be the cause of ongoing dispute.
    • The property line has been a source of contentiousness between the neighbors for years.
contentiousness

A lawyer's contentiousness was evident during the heated cross-examination.

Noun
  1. an inclination to be quarrelsome and contentious

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