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contentious

Adjective

IPA /kənˈtenʃəs/

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Meaning in plain English

Likely to cause strong disagreement because people have different views or interests concerning it.

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Pronunciation

contentious/kənˈtenʃəs/

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Choosing where to spend the holidays became a contentious issue.
The proposed change to working hours proved highly contentious.

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Choosing where to spend the holidays became a ________ issue.

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contentious — Likely to cause strong disagreement because people have different views or interests concerning it.

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Likely to cause strong disagreement because people have different views or interests concerning it.

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Word origin

Through Old French contentieux from Latin contentiosus, related to contendere, meaning to strive or argue.

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Contentious often appears with issue, topic, proposal or decision.

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