Contention

Contention signifies a heated disagreement; a struggle or rivalry. It involves expressing a point of view, often opposing another, and actively defending it. This can manifest verbally, through actions, or in written form, reflecting a clash of opinions, ideas, or interests. Contention implies a degree of effort to prevail or succeed in the argument or competition, highlighting the existence of opposing forces and the inherent desire to overcome. It frequently involves controversy, debate, or discord. Furthermore, the level of heat depends entirely on the level of argument and the perceived importance of what's being argued. The root word is Latin and means to stretch, or strain, suggesting the mental effort involved in arguing.

Contention meaning with examples

• The political debate quickly devolved into bitter Contention, with each candidate aggressively attacking the other's policies. The public watched as their policies were tested by aggressive attacks. Supporters on both sides were ready to jump into the online fray. The overall mood became unpleasant as the candidates became more shrill, and more vitriol filled the air.
• The siblings' constant Contention over the inheritance strained their family relationships. They argued over every single item, from the family home down to a silver spoon. The tension grew as they bickered with each other, and their parents' attempts to calm things were useless. They both wanted to win, and their parents were caught in the middle.
• Scientific Contention over the interpretation of new data led to various research papers. Each scientist claimed to know the truth. The debate was at times brutal as the proponents fought tooth and nail to win the argument. However, the arguments ultimately moved science forward as data was tested and analyzed thoroughly.
• The company's Contention that their product was superior was supported by various advertising campaigns. They fought hard to protect their reputation from the attack of a new competitor. Many companies saw it as a war of the roses. The fight for market share became more aggressive.
• Despite the judge's ruling, there was still Contention surrounding the legality of the new law. The various lawyers argued for what they thought was right, and those who didn't agree took to social media. The overall feeling was the law was not just, so even though it was set, the debate and battle went on.