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.
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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 public quarrel between Trump and Zelenskyy began after Russia and the U.S. agreed Tuesday to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties.—
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The public quarrel between New Zealand and Cook Islands — which share a passport, a military and constitutional ties — was a victory for Beijing’s efforts to woo Pacific leaders and a blow to Western countries’ efforts to counter China’s sway, analysts said.—
Noun
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Meanwhile, the two shell casings that were recovered from the scene by Relli and turned in to police two days after the altercation had no fingerprints.—
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His family has requested the body cam footage of the altercation, but has not been able to view it.—
Noun
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The network brought a federal lawsuit and a judge quickly sided with CNN in the dispute on due process grounds, leading the White House to back down from the legal fight.—
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Weston, 34, and Fulton, 57, were allegedly involved in a verbal dispute that turned physical on April 28, 2024.—
Noun
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Not without controversy AstroForge has already butted heads with the science community.—
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However, the controversy surrounding the actress’ old tweets threw her Oscars attendance into question.—
Noun
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Beyond being able to view things rationally, cognitive reappraisal also offers you and your partner the time to cool off when a disagreement becomes heated.—
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Glimcher was his most reliable link to the outside world, but many of their conversations ended in disagreement.—
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.—
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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.—
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.—
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Interestingly Jonas actually makes the major arguments against his own case: 1.—
Noun
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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.—
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But that message was undermined by his company’s fight against TVC.—
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Cite this Entry
“Contretemps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contretemps. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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