Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun contention

3 senses of contention

Sense 1
contention -- (a point asserted as part of an argument)
       => assertion, averment, asseveration -- (a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary))

Sense 2
controversy, contention, contestation, disputation, disceptation, tilt, argument, arguing -- (a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument")
       => dispute, difference, difference of opinion, conflict -- (a disagreement or argument about something important; "he had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats")

Sense 3
competition, contention, rivalry -- (the act of competing as for profit or a prize; "the teams were in fierce contention for first place")
       => group action -- (action taken by a group of people)