Contention
Contention noun - An earnest effort for superiority or victory over another.
Usage example: several actresses seem to be in heated contention for the title of “worst dressed”
Debate is a synonym for contention in dispute topic. In some cases you can use "Debate" instead a noun "Contention", when it comes to topics like controversy, speech, conflict.
Debate
Debate noun - Variance of opinion on a matter.
Usage example: there was a great deal of debate over the need for cutting costs by eliminating some programs
Contention is a synonym for debate in dispute topic. You can use "Contention" instead a noun "Debate", if it concerns topics such as conflict, controversy, consideration, speech.
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- contest and contention
- contest and debate
- conflict and contention
- conflict and debate
- argument and contention
- argument and debate
- row and contention
- row and debate
- disagreement and contention
- disagreement and debate
- dispute and contention
- dispute and debate
- dissension and contention
- dissension and debate
How words are described
Both words in one sentence
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The eyesight of the Tau is a point of much contention and debate in various novels and books.
Source: Puny Earthlings - Similarly, one of the biggest points of contention in the infamous "Great Trowa Rape Debate" was in reference to supposed interviews where the producers had "confirmed" that Trowa Barton was sexually abused during his days as a mercenary.
Source: God Never Said That -
Even the NYPD took a moment to point out the continued fall in crime◊ after the end of "Stop and Frisk" when that policy and New York City's crime rate became a subject of contention during the first Presidential debate of 2016.
Source: Useful Notes / New York City
Cite this Source
Debate and Contention. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contention/debate
Contention & Debate. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contention/debate>.
Debate or Contention. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contention/debate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contention" and "debate" have occurred on timeline