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
Except the Giants did it without an off day, on both sides of the country, and against contending teams.
—
Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
House Republicans who have been pressed about their position have contended, despite a contrary view from experts, that the Trump cuts can be executed without taking services from Medicaid recipients.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The conservative wing contended that the Holy See’s sovereignty means that Vatican departments are the equivalent of the ministries of any other country—meaning there should be a degree of confidentiality in preparing their budgets.
—Gerald Posner, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
The lawmakers also inquire whether the deals comply with state bar ethics requirements, contending that the agreements may raise issues with state bar professional codes of conduct rules for lawyers.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
House Republicans who have been pressed about their position have contended, despite a contrary view from experts, that the Trump cuts can be executed without taking services from Medicaid recipients.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The conservative wing contended that the Holy See’s sovereignty means that Vatican departments are the equivalent of the ministries of any other country—meaning there should be a degree of confidentiality in preparing their budgets.
—Gerald Posner, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
The lawmakers also inquire whether the deals comply with state bar ethics requirements, contending that the agreements may raise issues with state bar professional codes of conduct rules for lawyers.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
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The 2021 Republican gubernatorial nominee is competing to be his party’s candidate in this year’s race alongside figures like former talk radio host Bill Spadea and state Sen. Jon Bramnick.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
13 May 2025
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Fans, hedge funds, and sovereign wealth funds would all be competing to get a piece.—
Azeem Khan,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Ramaphosa and other defenders of the Expropriation Act have argued that the policies are needed to reverse the nation’s apartheid-era legacy of disparities in land ownership.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
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The same principle can apply in the Read case, where her defense team is arguing off-duty police framed her for the death of her boyfriend, who was also in the local police department.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN Money,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Some Justices insist on total secrecy from their clerks, including about even the fact of their having worked on particular cases.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
15 May 2025
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Sauer insisted that national injunctions were not the right mechanism for challenging Presidential orders like the one at issue in the case.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Rogers was later convicted of Cribbs' and Gallagher's murders but prosecutors didn't pursue him in Louisiana or Mississippi, reasoning at the time that he was being tried in the death penalty state of Florida and that justice was being served.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Had this law been in effect at the time, St. Louis could have asked, reasoned and acted — potentially saving Turner’s life.—
Mike Fox,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Chris Brown was arrested at his hotel in Manchester, U.K. on Thursday morning (May 15) over what British authorities alleged was an attack on a music producer at a London nightclub two years ago.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
15 May 2025
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Dugan’s clerk alerted her that immigration agents were in the courthouse looking to arrest Flores-Ruiz, prosecutors allege in court documents.—
Todd Richmond,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
Verb
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On Monday, May 5, Sara Jacqueline King was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges, the Los Angeles Times and Daily Mail reported.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
10 May 2025
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Defendants nearly always plead guilty—the last trial Carlin could remember was seven years ago—but Castañeda and her travelling companions opted to go to trial; their case was heard by a magistrate judge.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Australia’s Anthony Albanese claimed a historic second term as prime minister on Saturday in a dramatic comeback against once-resurgent conservatives that was powered by voters' concerns about the influence of U.S. President Donald Trump.—
Kirsty Needham,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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The real mover and shaker of the year has been the teenage dream Mirra Andreeva who claimed the Dubai Tennis Championships and also Indian Wells by defeating Sabalenka.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Verb
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Similarly, Trump's trade tariffs, territorial claims, and aggressive rhetoric towards nations like Mexico and Canada aim to project strength and assert dominance, even at the cost of disrupting traditional relations.—
Frank Lavin,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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But some other people also assert that the dominant medical journals are biased.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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