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nadir

Flag: gbEnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionary
yl-break' aria-hidden='true'>| kən-ˈten(t)-shən

Definition

  • a point advanced or maintained in a debate or argument //It is his contention that allowing a casino to be built would not be in the best interests of the city.
  • an act or instance of contending //He has taken himself out of contention for the directorship.
  • rivalry, competition
    anger and disagreement //There has been much contention in the family for years. //a source/point of contention //an issue that is still in contention [=that is still being argued about]
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
argument assertion thesis
Examples
  • //That has been a source of contention for years.
  • //He is in contention for the Olympic medal.
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
History and Etymology
Middle English contencioun "dissension, dispute," borrowed from Anglo-French cuntençun, contencion, borrowed from Latin contentiōn-, contentiō "exertion, competition, conflict," from conten-, variant stem of contendere "to strain, make an effort, strive, compete" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contend

NOTE: Regarding the variant -ten- with deverbal suffixes beginning in -t- (so contentiō rather than *contensiō), see note at tender entry 3.

contention
noun

Synonyms

con​tra​dic​to​ry
yl-break' aria-hidden='true'>| kən-ˈten(t)-shən

Definition

  • a point advanced or maintained in a debate or argument //It is his contention that allowing a casino to be built would not be in the best interests of the city.
  • an act or instance of contending //He has taken himself out of contention for the directorship.
  • rivalry, competition
    anger and disagreement //There has been much contention in the family for years. //a source/point of contention //an issue that is still in contention [=that is still being argued about]
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
argument assertion thesis
Examples
  • //That has been a source of contention for years.
  • //He is in contention for the Olympic medal.
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
History and Etymology
Middle English contencioun "dissension, dispute," borrowed from Anglo-French cuntençun, contencion, borrowed from Latin contentiōn-, contentiō "exertion, competition, conflict," from conten-, variant stem of contendere "to strain, make an effort, strive, compete" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contend

NOTE: Regarding the variant -ten- with deverbal suffixes beginning in -t- (so contentiō rather than *contensiō), see note at tender entry 3.

contention
noun

Synonyms

con​tra​dic​to​ry
nadir — MW · Shobdo