contentious

Suppose we call it the contentious or ambitious—would the term be suitable?

There is nothing to indicate that he was contentious by nature.

Of the contentious scribes He asked: "What question ye with them?"

Let them beware of the first approach of a contentious spirit.

Then, he was trying not to be too contentious, but was irritated into retorting.

For our purposes, however, what he says about contentious learning is the most important.

All motive force in him is essentially brutish, covetous, or contentious.

When it suits their contentious mood they become strict literalists.

I venture to think it one of my most contentious studies from actual nature.

The bishop is charged to be no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious.