contention
gb/kəntˈɛnʃən/ us/kəntˈɛnʃən/
B2
English
~ 27900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
state
1
disagreement or dispute between sides
strong disagreement or argument between people or groups
Usage pattern:
[something] is a source of contention between [people/groups]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "contention" with "content" (which means pleased, satisfied) because of the similar spelling. Remember that "in contention" or "a point of contention" is about disagreement, not about being happy. Another mistake is using it for very small, casual disagreements where "argument" or "fight" might sound more natural.
Synonyms
dispute (Very close in meaning, but can sound slightly more formal and legalistic in some contexts.)
|
conflict (Emphasizes broader or more serious opposition, sometimes including physical or long-term tension.)
|
argument (More common in everyday speech but often sounds more personal or emotional than “contention.”)
Antonyms
agreement (Direct opposite, stressing that people share the same opinion instead of disagreeing.)
|
harmony (Opposite in social tone, focusing on peace and lack of tension rather than conflict.)
Collocations
source of contention
|cause of contention
|point of contention
|area of contention
|bone of contention
|ongoing contention
Themes
conflict
|politics
|society
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The main source of contention between the two countries is the border region.
- Parking has long been a point of contention in this neighborhood.
- The pay structure is still an area of contention between workers and management.
- Religious education in public schools remains a subject of heated contention.
- There is growing contention within the party over its climate policies.
Learner examples
- Money is often a source of contention in families.
- There is a lot of contention about the new law.
- The rules for the exam became a point of contention among students.
- Parking spaces are a major cause of contention at our office.
- The plan ended years of contention between the two towns.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
2
claim or argument someone puts forward
a strong opinion or claim that someone says is true and argues for
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s main contention is that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "contention" here where the simple word "opinion" or "idea" is better in casual speech. This sense is quite formal and is most natural in academic, legal, or written arguments. Also, do not say *"I am contention that..."*; use "My contention is that..." or "I contend that..." (with the verb "contend").
Synonyms
claim (Very close meaning; more general and slightly less formal than "contention.")
|
assertion (Emphasizes the act of stating something confidently, sometimes without proof.)
|
argument (Highlights the reasoning used to support the contention rather than the bare statement itself.)
Antonyms
concession (Opposite in debate: instead of insisting on a claim, you admit the other side has a point.)
|
agreement (Opposite in stance: instead of putting forward your own opposing claim, you share the same view.)
Collocations
main contention
|central contention
|support the contention
|challenge the contention
|accept the contention
|reject the contention
Themes
argumentation
|academia
|law
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her central contention is that early education has long-term economic benefits.
- The lawyer’s contention was that the evidence was obtained illegally.
- Many scientists reject the contention that climate change is outside human control.
- The article offers data to support the contention that remote work boosts productivity.
- It is my contention that the policy will harm, not help, small businesses.
Learner examples
- His main contention is that the test was not fair.
- The author’s contention is that we need to sleep more.
- Some people accept the contention that video games cause violence, but others do not.
- The study supports the contention that exercise helps people live longer.
- I disagree with her contention that money is the only problem.
Noun
B2
state
3
state of still being able to win
when a person or team still has a real chance to win a game, prize, or position
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is in contention for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"in contention to"* instead of the more natural phrase "in contention for" (for example, "in contention for the title"). Another mistake is using it outside the idea of a competition or prize; for normal disagreement, use the other sense of "contention."
Synonyms
running (Often used in the phrase "in the running" with a similar meaning in informal contexts.)
|
competition (Refers to the event itself; only overlaps when used in expressions like "still in the competition.")
Antonyms
elimination (Opposite status: when a person or team no longer has any chance to win.)
|
out of the running (Idiomatic opposite: clearly no longer able to win or be chosen.)
Collocations
in contention for
|out of contention
|remain in contention
|back in contention
|put [someone] out of contention
Themes
sports
|career
|competition
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After yesterday’s win, they are back in contention for the league title.
- The loss effectively put her out of contention for a medal.
- Several candidates are still in contention for the CEO position.
- The team remains in contention despite a poor start to the season.
- A late goal kept the club in contention for a place in the playoffs.
Learner examples
- Our team is still in contention for first place.
- The loss put them out of contention for the cup.
- Three players are in contention for the award.
- He is in contention for a job at the company.
- They won and are now back in contention for the final.
Grammar
Dictionary form
contention
IPA
GB/kəntˈɛnʃən/
US/kəntˈɛnʃən/
Syllables & stress
con - ten - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ten)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: contention
- Plural: contention, contentions
Word family
Forms
contentions
noun
Core family
contend
verb C1
contentious
adjective C1
Related words
contender
noun B2
contentiously
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
uncontentious
adjective
Advanced or less common
contentiousness
noun
Expressions
bone of contention
1/bˈoʊn əv kəntˈɛnʃən/
idiom
subject that people keep arguing about
a subject or issue that people argue about again and again
Examples
- Parking has long been a bone of contention between residents and shop owners.
- The division of household chores is a major bone of contention in their marriage.
- Funding for the project became a political bone of contention.
cause of contention
1/kˈɔz əv kəntˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
reason why people disagree
a thing that makes people start to argue or disagree
Examples
- The new policy is a cause of contention among staff.
- Even small changes can become a cause of contention in close relationships.
- The fee increase is likely to be a cause of contention for customers.
in contention for
1/ˈɪn kəntˈɛnʃən fɚ/
fixed phrase
still have a chance to win
to still have a real chance to win a game, prize, job, or other goal
Examples
- They are now in contention for the championship.
- Several young actors are in contention for the lead role.
- The company is in contention for a major government contract.
out of contention
1/ˈaʊt əv kəntˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
no longer have any chance to win
to no longer have any real chance to win a game, prize, job, or other goal
Examples
- The defeat put them out of contention for the playoffs.
- After the scandal, he was effectively out of contention for the position.
- The team is now out of contention and will not reach the finals.
point of contention
1/pˈɔɪnt əv kəntˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
a particular issue people dispute
a specific thing that people disagree or argue about
Examples
- The exact cost of the project is still a point of contention.
- One major point of contention was how to measure student performance.
- The schedule became a point of contention between the two teams.
remain in contention
1/ɹɪmˈeɪn ˈɪn kəntˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
continue to still have a chance
to still have a chance to win or get something after some time has passed
Examples
- Despite several injuries, the team remains in contention for the title.
- She remains in contention for the scholarship after the second round of interviews.
- A strong performance will help them remain in contention for promotion.
source of contention
1/sˈɔɹs əv kəntˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
main cause of disagreement
the main thing that makes people disagree or argue
Examples
- The budget has been a constant source of contention between the partners.
- Working from home is a new source of contention in many companies.
- The land deal is a major source of contention in the community.