contentiousness.

1. A tendency to argue, oppose, or provoke disagreement.

2. The tendency of a subject or claim to cause disagreement or controversy.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• personal contentiousness
• habitual contentiousness

On the page

Her criticism was thoughtful, but his contentiousness made a calm exchange impossible.

Usage notes

Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: usually uncountable; no ordinary plural in these senses. Writing functions: argument, controversy, evaluation. Commonness: uncommon. Disposition and disputed subject separated.