contretemps

noun

ˈkän-trə-ˌtäⁿ How to pronounce contretemps (audio)
Definition of contretempsnext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contretemps Moore’s personal biography – despite these minor contretemps – proved more than compelling enough for Maryland voters. — Peniel E. Joseph, CNN, 9 Nov. 2022 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 The Dallas visit avoided the contretemps of the Washington portion of the trip. — Dallas News, 2 June 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
  1. quarrel
  2. altercation
  3. dispute
  4. controversy
  5. disagreement
  6. argument
  7. fight
  8. imbroglio
Noun
  • Look, says everyone, at the movement of the heavens, look at the public, look at that man’s quarrel, at this man’s pulse, at another man’s will; in short, always look high or low, or to one side, or in front, or behind you.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Department of Defense’s quarrel with Anthropic began earlier this year after the company refused to remove internal safety guardrails that would prevent the military from using its Claude AI model in autonomous weapons and mass surveillance.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of quarrel
Noun
  • The Honda continues down the street and crashes into a parked car, as Good’s wife, Becca Good, who was recording the altercation, runs after it.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Detectives found that Spencer was involved in an altercation with a man inside the library before the stabbing.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of altercation
Noun
  • The planned center for arbitrating investment and commercial disputes, for example, will sit within the Syrian Investment Authority, which is itself attached to the presidency.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Adair died in jail following a dispute with deputies, including Fatherley, who knelt on his back.
    — Sofi Zeman August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • After many decades of organizing, speaking, writing, agitating — and weathering the constant controversy that courted — Steinem kept going.
    — Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • George Lucas, for his part, has suggested that bringing the Lucas Museum to fruition—a project beset by delays and controversy that has taken nearly a decade to realize—was a herculean effort.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of controversy
Noun
  • Roth’s name had disappeared from the case, typically a sign of disagreement or discomfort with the arguments being made.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The disagreement is over the NCAA's new rule that grants players five seasons of eligibility, but did not include those who graduated from high school in 2022.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of disagreement
Noun
  • The earliest arguments for the non-existence of time go back to the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, Parmenides of Elea, in southwest Italy, who flourished in the fifth century BCE.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The central legal argument made by the petitioners revolved around the Kansas Public Speech Protection Act, a law designed to safeguard the constitutional rights of a person to petition and prevent lawsuits that silence public participation.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of argument
Noun
  • Mayer had some early success with her jab, but Cameron increasingly took control as the fight progressed and landed the cleaner punches before hurting Mayer with a right hand in the eighth round.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Metchie was very much on the bubble of the 53-man roster, and he was outperformed by his peers, even if not by much in this rock-fight of a contest.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of fight
Noun
  • Others, like the Charlie's Angels set imbroglio, stemmed from personality clashes and behind-the-scenes behavior.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
  • However, various legal imbroglios about ownership — including a claim by descendants of Cantinflas — led to the collection dropping from public sight in Mexico after 2007.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of imbroglio

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Cite this Entry

“Contretemps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contretemps. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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