contention Hear it!

contention Definition

con·ten·tion (kən ten′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the act of contending; strife, struggle, controversy, dispute, quarrel, etc.
  2. a statement or point that one argues for as true or valid

Etymology: ME contencioun < OFr contention < L contentio < pp. of contendere: see contend

contention Idioms

in (or out of) contention

having a (or no) chance to win

contention Synonyms

contention

n.

  1. Conflict

    strife, controversy, dispute, competition; see battle 2, competition 1, discord 1, dispute, fight 1.

  2. An assertion supported by argument

    stand, ground, assertion, allegation, claim, avowal, asseveration, explanation, predication, profession, deposition, advancement, discussion, charge, plea, demurrer; see also declaration 1. See syn. study at discord, fight.

contention Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • reject: In summary, our arguments reject the contention that the draft Services Directive would lead to a race to the bottom.
  • resolve: Priority values define a numerical rank or ordering of the threads that a thread scheduler can use to resolve simultaneous contention for processing resources.
  • support: No evidence has been produced to support the contention being made in item 43.
  • accept: I find myself unable to accept the contention of these men that the pins were all in order.
  • dispute: Moreover, this paper disputes the contention that expertise in a given specialty automatically makes for good field research.

Adjective modifier

  • rival: I must now turn to the rather convoluted provisions of the contract and consider the rival contentions of the parties.
  • central: His central contention can be summarized in his own words.
  • serious: He has put the party back in serious contention.
  • main: On appeal the main contention was that the student had agreed to pay the fare.

Modifies a noun

  • ratio: The contention ratio should always be stated with the package.
  • scope: You cannot change the contention scope of an active thread.

Noun used with modifier

  • play-off: Nonetheless a win at Ashton Gate is a must for City to launch themselves into play-off contention.
  • promotion: City still need points to ensure safety from relegation, while a few good wins would catapult Ciren back into promotion play-off contention.

Possessives

  • appellant: The appellant's contention was that no one could know about something which he did not know existed.
  • defendant: At first sight, the defendant's contentions pose an intractable logical puzzle.
  • respondent: There is not a shred of evidence which supports the Respondents ' contention as to staffing.

Preposition: of

  • violation: Nevertheless, any contention of copyright violation may by taken up under the jurisdiction of English Law.

Preposition: for

  • championship: However, RWJ Honda's James Noble is definitely still in contention for the championship.
  • title: The results now move the Sharks back into Final Four contention for the league title at years end.
  • spot: These results have pushed her back into contention for a spot in the Great Britain Olympic squad.
contention Quotes

   Football causeth fighting, brawling, contention, quarrel- picking, murder, homicide, and agreateffusionof blood, as daily experiences teaches.

—Stubbes, Philip

Creep into thy narrow bed, Creep, and let no more be said! Vain thy onset! all stands fast. Thou thyself must break at last. Let the long contention cease! Geese are swans, and swans are geese. Let them have it how they will! Thou art tired; best be still.

—Arnold, Matthew