Is contention formal or informal?

What's the difference between contention and argument?

What is the difference between contention and argument?

How do I use contention in a sentence?

Can contention be used for everyday issues?

Is contention a common word in academic writing?

Is contention common in academic writing?

← Dictionary

contention

/kənˈtɛnʃ(ə)n/

IELTSAcademic

noun

a strong disagreement or the topic people disagree about.

The border issue is a major contention between the two countries.
The main contention in the essay is about equality.

Adinary Nuance

Near-neighbors: contention is sharper and more formal than 'dispute' or 'argument', often used in serious topics like politics or policy. Writers choose it for formal tone, while 'quarrel' or 'fight' sound personal or casual.

In other languages

Spanish: Disputa, tema de desacuerdo
Japanese: 論争、問題点
Korean: 논쟁, 문제점
Vietnamese: Sự tranh chấp, điểm tranh cãi
Chinese: 争论，争点

Common phrases

a point of contentionamid much contentionthe main contentioncontention remains

Synonyms

dispute argument conflict opposition resistance

Related words

dispute argument debate issue topic

Frequently asked questions

Is contention formal or informal?: Is contention formal or informal?
What's the difference between contention and argument?: What is the difference between contention and argument?
How do I use contention in a sentence?: Can contention be used for everyday issues?
Is contention a common word in academic writing?: Is contention common in academic writing?