Contention and Quarrel

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”

Quarrel is a synonym for contention in conflict topic. In some cases you can use "Quarrel" instead a noun "Contention", when it comes to topics like disagreement, dispute, competition, controversy. popular alternative

Quarrel

Quarrel noun - An often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions.
Usage example: a loud quarrel erupted at the next table over

Contention is a synonym for quarrel in disagreement topic. You can use "Contention" instead a noun "Quarrel", if it concerns topics such as dispute, conflict, argument, controversy. popular alternative

How words are described

serious serious contention serious quarrel
major major contention major quarrel
Cite this Source
Quarrel and Contention. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contention/quarrel
Contention & Quarrel. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contention/quarrel>.
Quarrel or Contention. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contention/quarrel.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contention" and "quarrel" have occurred on timeline