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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contend
One of the Super Bowl contending teams who could be active at the deadline is the Buffalo Bills.
—
Ben Morse, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
That will be another tough test, as Carolina faces Jordan Love and the potential Super Bowl-contending Green Bay Packers.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Still, some neighborhood leaders contend conditions remain dire.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Lipski contends close to $14 million is needed.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Ben Morse, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
That will be another tough test, as Carolina faces Jordan Love and the potential Super Bowl-contending Green Bay Packers.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Still, some neighborhood leaders contend conditions remain dire.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Lipski contends close to $14 million is needed.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
-
Smith, who double majored in statistics and computer science, previously competed on the women’s swimming and diving team.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The last American to compete in the pinnacle of motorsport was Logan Sargeant, who raced for Williams for nearly two years before the team replaced him.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When its army entered Gaza in late 1956, the Israeli government argued that national security interests required it to control the Strip.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The issue of filing deadlines wasn't argued before the Supreme Court, nor the circuit court, Wood said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Still, local lore, including online discussion threads, insists that the wise guy looms above the pews.—
Susan Mulcahy,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Every government, donor, and institution has a role to play by funding the response, supporting recovery, and insisting that aid and education flow freely.—
Catherine Russell,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In particular, researchers have been exploring the extent to which language models can reason about language itself.—
Steve Nadis,
Quanta Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The bride tried to reason, insisting her niece was perfect for the role.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Porsche did not stop, struck the pedestrians and fled the scene, officials allege.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The 37-year-old man has a record of theft, Beccuau alleged.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The boy’s mother, Deja Taylor, is serving a two-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to federal gun and child neglect charges.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Rebecca Haro, Emmanuel's mother and Jake's wife, is still pleading not guilty to murder.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Even Obama’s outreach to Mamdani, Jones claimed, was more likely his attempt to support future stars who can counter Trump than an attempt to remain relevant.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Iran unveiled its Fattah missile in 2023, claiming speeds of Mach 13 to 15.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But though Pope had the final (non-)hand in the goal, it was made possible by a complacent Newcastle performance in which their midfield failed to assert control in a match which had been handed to them.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share