contentious divorce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contentious divorce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a divorce that involves a lot of disagreement, conflict, or disputes between the parties involved. Example: "The couple's contentious divorce lasted for over a year, with numerous court appearances and heated arguments over custody and finances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That comes on the heels of a contentious divorce.

The New York Times

For one thing, my mother had left him and initiated a rather contentious divorce.

The New York Times

It's all just history now, a stipulation in a contentious divorce.

The New York Times

The social arbiters do not look favorably on a contentious divorce.

The New York Times - Style

Chief Raney said Mr. Pardo and his wife had finalized a contentious divorce last week.

The New York Times

He has had a particularly contentious divorce and custody battle with Ms. Palin's sister.

The New York Times

And, frankly, anyone who has been through a contentious divorce can understand concepts like anger, resentment and revenge.

The New York Times

The film? "The War of the Roses," the 1989 film about a contentious divorce that culminates with the couple's death.

The New York Times

One year earlier, Ms. Harper and her husband of 22 years, Sandy Levine, went through a contentious divorce.

The New York Times

Revelations about lavish personal spending by McCourt and his wife, Jamie, became public during their contentious divorce, which is still under way.

The New York Times - Sports

That year, Mr. Romney testified in the contentious divorce proceedings of Tom Stemberg, the Staples founder and campaign surrogate, and Ms. Allred's client, Maureen Sullivan Stemberg.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a divorce as "contentious", ensure the context clearly illustrates the specific conflicts or disputes involved, such as custody battles, financial disagreements, or property division issues. This provides a more comprehensive understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling a divorce as "contentious" without providing any details about the nature of the conflict. Describe the specific issues that make it contentious, such as disputes over assets, child custody, or spousal support. This adds depth and credibility to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contentious divorce" functions as a noun phrase, where "contentious" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "divorce". It describes a specific type of divorce proceeding. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is widely used in various contexts to depict a divorce marked by disagreement and conflict.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contentious divorce" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a divorce characterized by significant conflict and disputes. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it functions as a noun phrase, with "contentious" modifying "divorce" to highlight the presence of disagreements, often leading to legal battles. The phrase is most frequently used in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While widely used, it is important to provide specifics about the nature of the conflicts to avoid generalizations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bitter divorce

Focuses on the negative emotions and animosity involved.

acrimonious divorce

Highlights the sharpness and bitterness of the conflict.

high-conflict divorce

Emphasizes the level of conflict and difficulty in resolving issues.

heavily disputed divorce

Focuses on the presence of strong disagreements and legal battles.

divorce with significant legal battles

Highlights the extensive legal proceedings and disagreements.

emotionally charged divorce

Emphasizes the intense emotions and personal feelings involved.

hard-fought divorce

Highlights the determination and effort involved in the divorce process.

highly contested divorce

Focuses on the legal challenges and disputes over assets or custody.

difficult divorce

A more general term indicating the presence of challenges and complexities.

complicated divorce

Indicates the presence of intricate issues and procedures.

FAQs

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

You can use "contentious divorce" to describe a divorce characterized by significant disagreement and conflict, as in "Their "contentious divorce" involved numerous legal battles over property and custody."

What are some alternatives to "contentious divorce"?

Alternatives include "bitter divorce", "acrimonious divorce", or "high-conflict divorce", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "contentious divorce" a formal or informal term?

"Contentious divorce" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's frequently used in news reporting and legal discussions. The term is fairly neutral and widely understood.

What makes a divorce "contentious"?

A divorce is considered "contentious" when there are significant disagreements between the parties involved, often leading to legal battles over issues such as asset division, child custody, or spousal support. The term highlights the presence of conflict and difficulty in reaching an agreement.