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Adversarial vs Contentious - What's the difference?

adversarial | contentious |

As adjectives the difference between adversarial and contentious

is that adversarial is characteristic of, or in the manner of, an adversary; combative, hostile, opposed while contentious is marked by heated arguments or controversy.

adversarial

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Characteristic of, or in the manner of, an adversary; combative, hostile, opposed
  • * {{quote-news, year=2012, date=November 7, author=Matt Bai, title=Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds, work=New York Times citation
    • , passage=In polling by the Pew Research Center in November 2008, fully half the respondents thought the two parties would cooperate more in the coming year, versus only 36 percent who thought the climate would grow more adversarial . }}

    Antonyms

    * cooperative

    Derived terms

    * adversarial system * adversarially

    contentious

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Marked by heated arguments or controversy.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=June 19 , author=Phil McNulty , title=England 1-0 Ukraine , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Ukraine, however, will complain long and hard about a contentious second-half incident when Marko Devic's shot clearly crossed the line before it was scrambled away by John Terry, only for the officials to remain unmoved.}}
  • Given to struggling with others out of jealousy or discord.

    • Synonyms

    * See also * See also

    Derived terms

    * contentiously * contentiousness

    Related terms

    * contend * contender * contention

    References

    * *