Contentiousness

/kənˈtɛnʃəsnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality of being argumentative, quarrelsome, or prone to dispute and conflict.

Etymology

From 'contentious' plus -ness (the noun-forming suffix meaning 'the quality of'). Built on the Latin root contentiosus meaning quarrelsome.

Kelly Says

The rise of 'contentiousness' on social media has been studied extensively—psychologists notice that the written format and anonymity seem to amplify people's natural argumentative tendencies.

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