adjective
1.
Synonyms: belligerent , bellicose, combative, gladiatorial, militant, pugnacious, quarrelsome, ||ructious, truculent, warlike
Related Word: contrary, froward, perverse; captious, carping, caviling, faultfinding
Contrasted words: calm, serene, tranquil; amiable, complaisant, good-natured, obliging
Antonyms: peaceable
2.
prone to wordy contention
a contentious old chap, always ready for an argument
Synonyms: argumentative, controversial, disputatious, litigious, polemical
Related Word: fiery, hasty, hotheaded, impetuous, peppery; bellicose, belligerent, scrappy
Contrasted words: amiable, complaisant, good-natured, obliging; agreeable, cooperative, understanding