What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contention
Example
There is a contention between the two political parties over the new tax bill. [contention: noun]
Example
The author's contention is that technology is making us less social. [contention: noun]
dispute
Example
The neighbors are in a dispute over the property line. [dispute: noun]
Example
The company is disputing the validity of the contract. [disputing: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dispute is more commonly used than contention in everyday language. Dispute is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while contention is less common and typically used in more formal or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contention and dispute?
Contention is typically associated with a more formal or academic tone, while dispute can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
