Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
contretemps
noun
/ˈkɒntrəˌtɒ̃/
Definition
An unfortunate or embarrassing occurrence or event.
Examples
- Despite the initial contretemps, the meeting ended positively.
- She handled the social contretemps gracefully, diffusing the tension in the room.
- The film included a humorous contretemps involving mistaken identities.
Meaning
A contretemps usually refers to an unexpected and out-of-the-ordinary situation that may lead to a conflict or awkwardness.
Synonyms
- incident
- misunderstanding
- setback
- inconvenience
- difficulty
