1
2
as in to argue
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration
contended that the senator's considerable experience made him the best candidate
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully
contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contend
Kennedy has long contended that the advisors on those panels have close ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
—
Annika Kim Constantino,bertha Coombs,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025
The Celtics are not expected to contend for a championship in Chisholm’s first season in charge after losing superstar Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles and then revamping their roster in pursuit of luxury tax relief.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Individuals or companies who have contending innovations within these areas may submit their achievements to the Academy for review by its scientific and technical committee.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 19 Aug. 2025
However, critics contended that Morales also degraded democracy by, for example, stacking the courts and ignoring term limits.
—Mollie J. Cohen, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Annika Kim Constantino,bertha Coombs,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025
The Celtics are not expected to contend for a championship in Chisholm’s first season in charge after losing superstar Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles and then revamping their roster in pursuit of luxury tax relief.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Individuals or companies who have contending innovations within these areas may submit their achievements to the Academy for review by its scientific and technical committee.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 19 Aug. 2025
However, critics contended that Morales also degraded democracy by, for example, stacking the courts and ignoring term limits.
—Mollie J. Cohen, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
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On the first Friday under the lights of the Texas high school football stadium, Aledo fans donning the orange and black and packed the stands to see their Bearcats compete.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Aug. 2025
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With injuries piling up, the Wings have had little choice but to cycle in short-term signings just to have enough players to compete.—
Grant Afseth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Though some have argued there are similarities in how Trump works as a statesman, in comparison to Reagan.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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While the two argued over the definition of a restaurant, Kennedy said a letter from the Sacramento Environmental Health Division classified Mei Wah as a bar.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Still, Sean insisted that his method was the only way to make it to the end.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Shippers and customers must insist upon—and invest in—robust security strategies, technological innovation and a culture where every employee understands their role in cargo protection.—
Shaleen Devgun,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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By and large, the catchphrase of mental fragility in this informal and quite ad hoc fashion is a reference to being negatively affected by AI interactions to a degree beyond that which would seem reasonable and reasoned by a sound mind.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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The board also voted to remove the resolution from the school system’s website and social media platforms, reasoning that the previous board in June 2020 did not vote to add the resolution to the student code.—
William J. Ford,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The lawsuit alleges that the raw milk producer and seller are liable because the product contained Campylobacter and E. coli and failed to give adequate warnings of the product’s dangers.—
Mark Harper,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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And in one particularly extreme case, a lawsuit alleges that an 18-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after drinking a Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade from Panera Bread.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Parents had pleaded for child’s return After reporting the kidnapping to police, the Haro parents spoke to CNN affiliate KCAL/KCBS pleading for the baby’s return and explaining their version of what happened.—
Stephanie Elam,
CNN Money,
27 Aug. 2025
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His brother pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 37 years, and Talib took a hiatus from broadcasting.—
Andrew Marchand,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Crewed trips with humans would then follow most likely in the early 2030s, Musk has claimed.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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Ukrainian officials claim the Flamingo may outperform the U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile, both in firepower and production costs.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Grant and family estate assert right to ownership Even if Nashville Church of Christ’s ministries are legitimate, Grant and Burton argue the activity is not a proper use of the property according to its deed.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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In this case, multiple students falsely asserted there isn’t any federal legislation to help victims of nude deepfakes — even though the Take It Down Act became law in May.—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN Money,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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