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 report contends that the mid-1990s Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, known as PTELL, which was aimed at limiting annual property tax increases by non-home-rule governments to the lesser of 5% or the rate of inflation, is filled with loopholes that local taxing bodies exploit.
—
Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Critics contend the industry plunders distressed companies, leading to downsizing and cost-cutting that hurts local communities, though other research has pushed back on that reputation.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Miller dapping up Charlotte rapper DaBaby following a thunderous right-handed fast-break dunk in the fourth quarter provided the perfect snapshot of just how well things went for the Hornets against a team that can contend to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy following the NBA Finals come June.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
The administration contends this interpretation aligns with historical constitutional understanding rather than contradicting it.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contend
Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Critics contend the industry plunders distressed companies, leading to downsizing and cost-cutting that hurts local communities, though other research has pushed back on that reputation.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Miller dapping up Charlotte rapper DaBaby following a thunderous right-handed fast-break dunk in the fourth quarter provided the perfect snapshot of just how well things went for the Hornets against a team that can contend to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy following the NBA Finals come June.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
The administration contends this interpretation aligns with historical constitutional understanding rather than contradicting it.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
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In the market for preterm nutrition, Abbott and Mead Johnson compete with each other, not against the use of human milk, the companies told KFF Health News.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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Any organization with 50 or more employees in the state is eligible to compete for a Top Workplaces award.—
Bob Helbig,
Freep.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors argue that Duckett was a monster in disguise who abused the badge and brutally raped and killed Teresa before dumping her body in a lake.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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The reversal comes after Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta and the UCLA Voting Rights Project launched legal challenges last week, arguing the sheriff has no authority over election materials.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Martha sat on the other bed and thought about what a perverse species humans were—to insist on eating something that had tried so hard to be inedible.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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House and Senate Democrats, meanwhile, insisted that the easiest and quickest way to end the shutdown would be for the House to pass the Senate compromise.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Like Sherlock Holmes or Benoit Blanc, Grace relies on reasoning to uncover the truth — only, in his case, billions of lives depend on his deductions.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
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The people on whom the planter depended to make his plantation run, Amador probably reasoned, were the same people who were best qualified and most motivated to annihilate it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In other words, Raskin alleges someone at the DOJ may have violated a court order, a possible contempt issue.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Prosecutors allege that on the day of the murders, Yan Wang destroyed cellphones to prevent evidence from being produced, and broke into the home of Howard Wang and Linlin Guo the day after the murders to steal other evidence.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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All have pleaded guilty to the scheme, which is described in an array of court filings.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Huerta pled guilty in February in Leavenworth County District Court to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of aggravated endangering a child, according to previous Star reporting.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Around this time Denise and Aaron filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Vallejo claiming defamation and emotional distress.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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And those four claimed the first four spots in Saturday’s race.—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Carolyn’s mother asserts that John was responsible for the crash.—
Jeff Wise,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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But now the deal has been paused amid legal challenges asserting that Nexstar-Tegna violates antitrust laws.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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