contentious
gb/kəntˈɛnʃəs/ us/kəntˈɛnʃəs/
C1
English
vitatott, ellentmondásos, konfrontatív, kötekedő, peres, jogvitás
C1
1
vitatott
B2
Usage pattern:
[a contentious issue/topic/decision]; highly contentious
Immigration remained one of the most contentious issues in the election.
A bevándorlás továbbra is a választás egyik legvitatottabb kérdése maradt.
The board delayed a decision on the contentious proposal until next month.
Az igazgatótanács jövő hónapra halasztotta a vitatott javaslatról szóló döntést.
Whether to build the new road is still highly contentious among local residents.
Learner examples
The plan is contentious because many people oppose it.
A terv vitatott, mert sokan ellenzik.
This is a contentious topic at school.
Ez egy vitatott téma az iskolában.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse contentious with content, meaning happy or satisfied.
Meaning
causing disagreement or controversy
Collocations
contentious issue
|contentious topic
|contentious question
|contentious debate
|contentious decision
|contentious proposal
|contentious legislation
|contentious claim
|highly contentious
|deeply contentious
Synonyms
controversial (Very close in meaning; often used for public topics that many people debate.)
|
divisive (Emphasizes that something separates people into opposing groups.)
|
disputed (Emphasizes that people do not agree about whether something is true, fair, or valid.)
Antonyms
uncontroversial (Not likely to cause disagreement.)
|
undisputed (Accepted as true or valid by everyone involved.)
|
settled (No longer seriously debated or argued about.)
Themes
communication
|politics
|society
|conflict
Definition
A contentious subject or decision makes people argue or disagree strongly.
Likely to cause strong disagreement, argument, or controversy.
C1
2
konfrontatív
C1
kötekedő
B2
Usage pattern:
[a contentious person/tone/style/relationship]
His contentious tone made a routine discussion feel like a fight.
Konfrontatív hangneme miatt egy szokványos megbeszélés is veszekedésnek hatott.
The meeting became increasingly contentious as the deadline approached.
A határidő közeledtével a megbeszélés egyre konfrontatívabbá vált.
She was known as a brilliant but sometimes contentious colleague.
Learner examples
He can be contentious in meetings.
Az értekezleteken tud kötekedő lenni.
Her email sounded too contentious.
Az e-mailje túl konfrontatívnak hangzott.
Common mistake:
For everyday speech, argumentative is often more common when describing a person.
Meaning
argumentative or quarrelsome
Collocations
contentious person
|contentious colleague
|contentious tone
|contentious style
|contentious exchange
|contentious meeting
|contentious relationship
|contentious atmosphere
Synonyms
argumentative (More common for a person who often argues.)
|
combative (Stronger; suggests an aggressive readiness to fight or argue.)
|
quarrelsome (Suggests a habit of starting arguments; slightly old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
agreeable (Pleasant and willing to agree.)
|
conciliatory (Trying to reduce conflict and reach agreement.)
|
cooperative (Willing to work with others rather than argue.)
Themes
personality
|communication
|conflict
Definition
A contentious person or way of speaking often causes arguments.
Tending to argue, challenge others, or create conflict.
C2
LEGAL
3
Usage pattern:
[contentious proceedings/litigation/probate/work]
The firm handles both contentious and non-contentious employment work.
Az iroda peres és nemperes munkajogi ügyekkel egyaránt foglalkozik.
Contentious probate cases often involve disputes over a will.
A peres hagyatéki ügyek gyakran végrendeleti vitákkal járnak.
She moved from drafting commercial contracts into contentious legal practice.
Learner examples
The case is contentious because two parties disagree in court.
Az ügy peres, mert két fél a bíróságon vitatkozik róla.
Common mistake:
This legal use is specialized; in general English, contentious usually means controversial.
Meaning
involving legal disputes
Collocations
contentious proceedings
|contentious litigation
|contentious probate
|contentious legal work
|contentious matters
|contentious cases
|non-contentious work
Synonyms
litigious (Relating to lawsuits or a tendency to take disputes to court.)
|
adversarial (Emphasizes opposing sides arguing against each other.)
|
disputed (Emphasizes that a claim or right is contested.)
Antonyms
non-contentious (Not involving a legal dispute between opposing parties.)
|
uncontested (Not challenged by another party.)
|
amicable (Resolved or handled in a friendly, cooperative way.)
Themes
law
|business
|conflict
Definition
In legal contexts, contentious work involves a dispute between opposing sides.
Relating to legal matters in which opposing parties dispute a claim, right, or obligation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
contentious
IPA
GB/kəntˈɛnʃəs/
US/kəntˈɛnʃəs/
Syllables & stress
con - ten - tious (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ten)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: contentious
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.