Controversy , discord and dissension mean a prolonged disagreement expressed terms ranging from reasonable to belligerent. Controversy is generally applied to disagreements between groups, such as nations, political parties or religious sects. Internationally one speaks of controversy over disarmament; politically, of controversy over federal versus state power; and religiously, of controversy over priestly celibacy. Discord is controversy carried to unpleasant lengths, ad implies an unlikelihood of easy revolution. Discord between branches of a family often lasts for generations. Dissension is factional discord , and is often expressed in voluble protests or accusations: dissension among the rank and file of the union forced a change in leadership.

Argument , debate and dispute mean verbal expressions of disagreement. An argument is usually between individuals, and suggests a combined appeal to reason and to the emotions. It may or may not result in a resolution of the disagreement.

• An argument between parents regarding the rearing of their children often goes on for years; The referee always wins the argument about a free kick in football.

A debate is an argument between selected individuals or groups, and is carefully controlled and monitored; it is normally limited to an appeal to reason, and is usually an attempt to arrive at the truth rather than to overpower by tricks of oratory: A parliamentary debate on a piece of proposed legislation is designed to bring out all the relevant facts to enable members to vote on the merits of the bill. A dispute is an argument carried on over a long period of time and is often marked by heated clashes: The dispute over an international boundary produced a long exchange of strong allegations couched in diplomatic language.

Contention , friction , conflict and strife mean disagreement carried so far as to be marked by ill will and sometimes by hostile actions. Contention is usually limited to verbal discord carried to extreme lengths, and implies vying for a contested goal. Contention between rival camps at a political convention is often acrimonious. Friction implies a steady and continuous disagreement between individuals or groups, and is characterized by frequent clashes. Friction between labour and management can result in mutual recriminations, strikes and lockouts. Conflict implies a disagreement so violent that resolution by action other than verbal must be resorted to: The conflict between Guelphs and Ghibellines in medieval Italy passed from controversy over papal authority to petty wars between city-states. Strife implies a conflict so basic and contestants so implacable that it is characterized by continuous hostility and an uncompromising attitude: The tactics of the cold war are resorted to in the strife between contending power blocs. Strife is also used loosely and hyperbolically for trouble: If I’m late home I’ll be in strife .

Bickering , quarrel and wrangle mean argument about petty matters, usually carried on in a petulant manner. These words may be applied to individuals or groups, and carry a suggestion of opprobrium. Bickering suggests a prolonged exchange of ill-tempered remarks: bickering about who should be first in line. Quarrel is more general in application; it is usually highly personal and can range from a mild verbal dispute to a violent argument : a quarrel between neighbours about a borrowed lawn mower; violent quarrels in which she hurled pots and pans at him and he knocked her about like a rag doll. A wrangle is an angry or noisy quarrel ; the suggestion of petulant intransigence is especially strong, and the word often implies an unwillingness to listen to reason or to be understanding of the other person’s point of view: a long wrangle over who should pay the bill.