sparring vs contention

sparring and contention both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
sparring	Yes	No	No	No
contention	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, contention is a hypernym of sparring; that is, contention is a word with a broader meaning than sparring:

sparring: an argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage
contention: a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement

Other hypernyms of sparring include arguing, argument, contestation, controversy, disceptation, disputation, tilt.

sparring (noun)	contention (noun)
making the motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms; a part of training for a boxer	the act of competing as for profit or a prize
an argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage	a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
	a point asserted as part of an argument