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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contretemps
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.
—
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 
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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But over the coming years, such quarrels may serve as a barometer for which voices in his ear will have the most influence, and the extent to which Trump remains sensitive to public pushback.—
Eric Cortellessa,
TIME,
20 Jan. 2025
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The House has been thrust into a political quarrel after voters elected 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans in November.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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He was also arrested in 2012 following an altercation at a hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstructing justice, Reuters reported.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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Tarrant County sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a man who was armed with a knife during an altercation as the deputies tried to serve a warrant Friday afternoon in Haltom City, according to the Sheriff’s Office.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The burgeoning dispute pits free speech protections against the FCC’s authority to ensure that public airwaves operate in the public interest.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Feb. 2025
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The push follows an ongoing contract dispute between Optimum's parent company, Altice USA, and MSG Networks, which has resulted in the loss of access to MSG sports programming for thousands of customers.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Asked about the streaming event about those controversies, Bloys demurred.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
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Selena Gomez is proud of the work in Emilia Pérez despite all the controversy surrounding her costar Karla Sofía Gascón.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But the process has faced delays amid intraparty disagreement on how to proceed.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
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The Trump administration will likely appeal the judicial prohibitions and, given the extent of disagreement between the White House and many Democratic-leaning states, the issue will likely be heard by the Supreme Court.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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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The argument against keeping Dalton The Panthers are projected to have roughly $20 million in salary cap space this offseason, according to Over The Cap.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Feb. 2025
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Interestingly Jonas actually makes the major arguments against his own case: 1.—
Jonas Siegel,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The incident may have started as a fight inside a local McDonald’s restaurant, which then spilled out onto the street, according to a police source.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2025
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Transport boxes, electronic scales and gaffs, sharp blades that can be attached to roosters' legs during fights, were found on the property, the news statement said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Contretemps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contretemps. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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