contretempsnoun [ C ]
uk/ˈkɒn.trə.tɒ/us/ˈkɑːn.trə.tɑː/plural contretemps mainly UKa small argument or unlucky event, often happening in public and causing social embarrassment:
There was a slight contretemps between Richard and some guy at the bar.
Have you got over your little contretemps with the neighbour yet, or are you still not speaking?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Arguments & disagreements
- altercation
- argument
- belligerent
- blow up
- bust up
- conflict
- confrontation
- contention
- disharmony
- dissonance
- feud
- fracas
- fray
- Mexican standoff
- quibble
- rivalry
- row 1
- slanging match
- trouble
- tussle
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