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
The company hopes the effort allows for more large-scale audiobook productions to emerge, contending that AI allows for more immersive audio experiences that traditional publishers would find too expensive.
—
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
23 June 2026
Drury wants a package headlined by a young roster player with upside, which makes sense, but contending teams generally prefer to part with future assets.
—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies have continued an ongoing search for organizational depth behind a roster of veteran stars designed to contend for a World Series.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Miami has also struggled to contend in recent years.
—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for contend
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
23 June 2026
Drury wants a package headlined by a young roster player with upside, which makes sense, but contending teams generally prefer to part with future assets.
—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies have continued an ongoing search for organizational depth behind a roster of veteran stars designed to contend for a World Series.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Miami has also struggled to contend in recent years.
—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
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Roy, a deputy state attorney general, finished first in the city attorney primary by a wide margin and will compete against John McKinney, a deputy district attorney, in the runoff.
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Three centuries later, the librarians of Alexandria took charge of the text, collating competing versions, marking doubtful lines, imposing a measure of order on the teeming verses.
Verb
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Srebnick, however, argued that the crash was a tragic accident — and did not amount to a crime.
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While some experts say the government should be involved in conversations about AI safety, others argue the result could stifle the industry.
Verb
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Iran’s leaders insist the country’s nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.
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The thread running through all of these is the same worry, that decisions which used to be made by people who could be questioned are now made by systems that cannot, unless someone insists they be opened up.
Verb
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Vitello seemed to understand Devers’ reasoning for wanting to stay in the game but also knew that Devers was battling some leg soreness.
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Plus, Wizards officials reason that Young, who will turn 28 years old in September, will remain in his prime years through the end of his contract.
Verb
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Prosecutors also alleged King fathered a child through an extra-marital affair and threatened the child’s mother to keep quiet.
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Surviving former residents alleged that rape and torture had been routine there for decades, especially under segregation, when Black boys bore the worst of the abuse.
Verb
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In January, Ye took out an ad in the Wall Street Journal to plead for forgiveness after his antisemitic rampage in 2025.
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In a video viewed more than 7 million times, the owner pleaded for officers not to shoot the dog.
Verb
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While speaking with the Daily Mail, Daveigh's mom claimed that her daughter struggled with addiction.
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Sina Azodi, director of George Washington University’s Middle East studies program, noted Israel’s attacks on Lebanon are an issue for Iran while the US could possibly interpret Tehran claiming to close the Strait of Hormuz as a violation of the memorandum of understanding.
Verb
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Car show winners The winner of Best in Show at the fourth annual Historic Downtown Campbell Car Show, held June 6, may seem somewhat underwhelming, but organizers assert that Michael Vanni’s 1964 Chevy Nova has serious street cred.
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That came after the start of talks between the two countries had been delayed while both sides also sought to assert influence over the strait.
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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