as in quarrel
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
there was a bit of a contretemps over the seating arrangements for the upcoming wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Examples of contretemps in a Sentence
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Recent Examples on the Web
To outsiders, the summer’s weeks-long contretemps over the prime minister’s after-hours activities might seem like a tempest in a Nordic teapot.
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Michael Hunt, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022
What’s followed have been a succession of contretemps.
—David A. Andelman, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022
Marin's lack of good judgment and naivete has led us to this ridiculous contretemps, which will eventually blow over.
—Marja Heinonen, CNN, 23 Aug. 2022
The normally dignified sport had a brief contretemps at the time of the opening game this year.
—New York Times, 1 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for contretemps 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contretemps
Noun
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The farmers’ quarrels with vampires make sense, especially in smaller cattle herds, where losing even one cow can significantly hurt a farmer’s livelihood.Sebastian Stockmaier, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024
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Khodr was concerned about rising tensions between the two communities competing for limited aid, and opened separate shelters to avoid quarrels; fifty-nine for Lebanese and five for Syrians.Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
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An Arkansas State Police officer was arrested Tuesday following an altercation with his wife. Sgt.Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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Embiid got into an altercation with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes after the 76ers’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Ties have been at their lowest point in decades amid disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan and Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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Yet, none of that was seen on ABC by the millions who subscribe to DirecTV as Disney was in a contract dispute with the satellite provider at the time.Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The 2025 Championships will likely attract an even larger crowd, after controversy overshadowed the men’s tournament this year.Jamie Barton, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
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These controversies led Discord to shut down the site.Earl Carr, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Next time you’re caught in a disagreement, try a lighthearted, funny remark or make a silly face to lighten the atmosphere.Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
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Baffert and Churchill Downs ended a very public disagreement arising out of the disqualification of Medina Spirit in the 2021 Derby.John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Better to follow the West German example and achieve full NATO membership for independent Ukraine than to watch essential U.S. support dwindle as Congress bickers and Trump’s reelection odds increase.M. E. Sarotte, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2024
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Meanwhile, Esmeralda bickers with her daughter Jacqueline (Tenley Stitzer), who’s terrified of nuclear war and obsessed with rocker David Lee Roth.Celia Wren, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
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Meanwhile, the judge also heard arguments about whether Kohberger may pose a danger to others.Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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Lady Gaga gave her closing argument for electing Kamala Harris President on Monday night (Nov. 4) at an epic rally for the Vice President who is vying to become the nation’s first female commander-in-chief.Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The politically tinged fight is playing out in federal court in Texas, where US District Judge Reed O’Connor has homed in on standard language used by the Justice Department calling for diversity, equity and inclusion to be taken into consideration when choosing corporate monitors.Evan Perez, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024
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The crypto industry is pouring money into the fight to control Congress, and the Massachusetts race just isn't enough of a factor to become a good investment.Mike Deehan, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Contretemps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contretemps. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
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