contretemps

Examples

• All

• Their vacation was nearly ruined by a contretemps with the hotel staff.

• After a brief contretemps on the soccer field, the match continued as normal.

• What a contretemps!

• The meeting ended in a contretemps over budget cuts.

• The wedding was almost derailed by a contretemps involving misplaced rings.

• Their dinner party was interrupted by a contretemps between two guests over a political topic.

• She felt embarrassed after a contretemps with her colleague during the presentation.

Synonyms

S

squabble

vscontretemps

• Informal

27 4.2

A noisy argument about something unimportant

is more about an unexpected awkward event that often causes embarrassment

A

awkward moment

vscontretemps

15 4.1

A short time when people feel uncomfortable or embarrassed

tends to involve an unexpected minor dispute as well as embarrassment

F

faux pas

vscontretemps

13 8.8

An embarrassing act or remark that upsets people in social situations

covers a wider unexpected awkward event or minor dispute rather than one mistake

K

kerfuffle

vscontretemps

• Informal

8 8.8

A small noisy fuss when people disagree

focuses on a sudden awkward incident that causes personal embarrassment

Antonyms

A

agreement

361 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

H

harmony

146 2.5

Agreement and peaceful working together between people or ideas

How Awkward

dispute

384 3.0

contretemps

9.9

disagreement

268 1.6

mishap

62 3.4

Surface Forms

Etymology