63 entries under difficult topic. ×

35
quarrelsome(noun, adjective, attack, sharp, nasty)
23
combative(noun, adjective, attack, sharp, nasty)
22
belligerent(noun, adjective, mean, attack, sharp)
20
disputatious(noun, adjective, cross, rude)
19
argumentative(adjective, mean, nasty, conflict)
16
pugnacious(noun, adjective, mean, attack, sharp)
14
irritable(adjective, cross, rude, unpleasant)
13
bellicose(adjective, mean, attack, sharp, nasty)
11
litigious(adjective, conflict, hostile, contrary)
8
touchy(noun, adjective, cross, irritable)
8
whiny(adjective, rude, unpleasant, unfriendly)
7
cantankerous(adjective, nasty, cross, rude)
7
irascible(adjective, cross, irritable, emotional)
7
peevish(adjective, cross, rude, unpleasant)
7
choleric(adjective, cross, irritable, emotional)
7
petulant(adjective, cross, rude, unpleasant)
7
querulous(adjective, cross, rude, unpleasant)
6
cross(adjective, mean, sharp, harsh)
6
disagreeable(adjective, unfriendly, bad-tempered, argumentative)
6
eristic(adjective, rude, unpleasant, conflict)
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APASmart Define. (2015). contentious thesaurus. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/contentious/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "contentious thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/contentious/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, contentious thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/contentious/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "contentious thesaurus" 13 April 2015. Web. 20 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/contentious/thesaurus/synonyms>