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Contentious vs Vexatious - What's the difference?

contentious | vexatious |

As adjectives the difference between contentious and vexatious

is that contentious is marked by heated arguments or controversy while vexatious is causing vexation or annoyance; teasing; troublesome.

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

    * *

    vexatious

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Causing vexation or annoyance; teasing; troublesome.
  • (archaic) Full of trouble or disquiet; harassed; distressed; annoyed; vexed.
  • * Sir K. Digby
    • He leads a vexatious life.
  • (legal, of an action) Commenced for the purpose of giving trouble, without due cause.
    • a vexatious lawsuit

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * vexatious suit * vexatiously * vexatiousness

    Related terms

    * vex * vexation

    References

    * *