contentious debate

USAGE SUMMARY

"contentious debate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to refer to a debate in which two or more people are arguing fiercely about an issue. For example: "The contentious debate about immigration reform continued for hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I'll try for a contentious debate.

The New York Times

The vote caps a contentious debate over the deal.

The New York Times

ARE you in the mood for a contentious debate?

The New York Times

Mr. Bobzien, meanwhile, seems resigned to the contentious debate.

The New York Times

The report subsequently generated much contentious debate about its accuracy.

The New York Times

The vote suspended a contentious debate over two resolutions.

The New York Times

But contentious debate persists on how to achieve reconciliation.

The New York Times - Sports

The move early Thursday came after more than 13 hours of contentious debate.

Independent

As a result, the contentious debate over how the police conduct stops has been closely followed.

The New York Times

His death is certain to galvanize the already contentious debate about assisted suicide in Britain.

The New York Times

Its sponsors, seeking to sidestep the contentious debate over immigration, excluded them from the law's benefits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contentious debate" when you want to emphasize the disagreement and strong opposing viewpoints involved in a discussion, especially when the topic is controversial or sensitive.

Common error

While "contentious debate" implies strong disagreement, avoid pairing it with overly emotional or biased language. Maintain a neutral tone to present the debate fairly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contentious debate" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "contentious" modifies the noun "debate". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It typically describes a discussion marked by strong disagreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contentious debate" effectively communicates a discussion characterized by strong disagreement and opposing viewpoints. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal settings. While synonyms like "heated discussion" or "bitter dispute" exist, "contentious debate" maintains a neutral tone suitable for objective reporting. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing the presence of strong disagreement without introducing unnecessary bias or emotional language. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and appropriateness for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense disagreement

Highlights the strong level of opposition and lack of consensus.

heated discussion

Emphasizes the intensity and emotional nature of the discussion.

fierce argument

Stresses the strength and intensity of the opposing viewpoints.

bitter dispute

Highlights the negative feelings and animosity involved in the disagreement.

vigorous controversy

Focuses on the active and energetic nature of the disagreement.

controversial deliberation

Focuses on the divisive and debatable nature of the topic under consideration.

acrimonious exchange

Draws attention to the sharp and hostile nature of the communication.

polemical argument

Highlights the presence of an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another.

discordant dialogue

Emphasizes the lack of harmony and agreement in the conversation.

fractious discussion

Stresses the irritable and quarrelsome nature of the conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "contentious debate" in a sentence?

You can use "contentious debate" to describe a situation where there is strong disagreement and argument, for example: "The proposed policy sparked a "contentious debate" within the community."

What are some synonyms for "contentious debate"?

Alternatives to "contentious debate" include "heated discussion", "fierce argument", or "vigorous controversy", each emphasizing a different aspect of the disagreement.

Is "contentious debate" formal or informal?

"Contentious debate" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, particularly in news, academic, and professional settings. It accurately conveys the presence of strong disagreement without being overly informal.

What makes a debate "contentious"?

A debate becomes "contentious" when the issues being discussed are highly sensitive or controversial, leading to strong opposing viewpoints, and often causing significant disagreement or conflict among the participants.