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Contentious vs Confrontational - What's the difference?

contentious | confrontational |

As adjectives the difference between contentious and confrontational

is that contentious is marked by heated arguments or controversy while confrontational is pertaining to a confrontation; characterized by, or given to initiating hostile encounter; in-your-face.

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

    * *

    confrontational

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Pertaining to a confrontation; characterized by, or given to initiating hostile encounter; in-your-face.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=October 15 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Liverpool 1 - 1 Man Utd , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=It was Liverpool who once again carried the momentum after the break and the recalled Rio Ferdinand was booked for a foul on Suarez, whose confrontational approach and brilliant natural ability was proving hard to handle.}}