contentious
Causing or likely to cause disagreement or controversy
Examples
In a meeting
“The compensation structure remains a contentious issue among stakeholders.”
Over coffee
“Politics is always a contentious topic at family dinners.”
Why this word
controversial
contentious emphasizes causing dispute or argument, while controversial means provoking disagreement
argumentative
contentious describes issues or people likely to cause contention, while argumentative only applies to people who like arguing
disputed
contentious suggests something that invites argument, while disputed means already being argued about
Usage tip
Use to describe topics, issues, or people that provoke debate or conflict. Warns that something will generate strong opposing views.
Etymology
Latin 'contentiosus' (quarrelsome), from 'contentio' (contest, dispute)
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Related words
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
concise
Giving a lot of information clearly in few words.
ambiguous
Open to more than one interpretation; not clear or decided.
convey
To communicate or make an idea, feeling, or meaning known.
reiterate
To say something again for emphasis or clarity.
paraphrase
To restate something in different words to make it clearer or shorter.