What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disputatious
Example
He is a disputatious person who always wants to argue. [disputatious: adjective]
Example
The meeting became disputatious as everyone had different opinions. [disputatious: adjective]
contentious
Example
The topic of politics is always contentious and can lead to arguments. [contentious: adjective]
Example
She has a contentious personality and often causes conflicts. [contentious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contentious is more commonly used than disputatious in everyday language, and it covers a broader range of topics and issues.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disputatious and contentious?
Both disputatious and contentious are relatively formal words, but contentious is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
