contentious

Definition

Marked by heated arguments or controversy.

Etymology

From Middle French contentieux, from Latin contentiōsus (“quarrelsome, perverse”), from contentiō (“contention”), from contendere, past participle contentus (“to contend”). Equivalent to English contention + -ous.

Example Sentences

• "Ukraine, however, will complain long and hard about a contentious second-half incident when Marko Devic's shot clearly crossed the line before it was scrambled away by John Terry, only for the officials to remain unmoved."
• "She was not a contentious person as the Other had been; she did not argue and contradict everything I said."

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