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Divisive vs Contentious - What's the difference?

divisive | contentious |

As adjectives the difference between divisive and contentious

is that divisive is having a quality that divides or separates while contentious is marked by heated arguments or controversy.

divisive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Having a quality that divides or separates
    • Rather than fostering unity, he becomes divisive .

    Antonyms

    * combinative

    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

    * *