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contentious

[kuhn-ten-shuhs] / kənˈtɛn ʃəs /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Celtic beat Motherwell on Wednesday with a contentious 99th-minute penalty, awarded after VAR intervention.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

And it was a contentious case having to do with the rights of trans people and the rights of the owners of a spa.

From Slate • May 12, 2026

Of the competitive races, two are unusually contentious.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

It's unclear whether Mamdani followed through and brought up the contentious subject with Charles when the two met.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

It proved so contentious that Darwin withdrew it from the third edition of the book.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson




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