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
There are a couple of obvious candidates on contending Canadian teams — Matias Maccelli in Toronto, or Andrew Mangiapane in Edmonton — worth considering, but there are other possibilities beyond them.
—
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
The Democrats contended in the lawsuit that the denial violated laws allowing access by legislators to correctional institutions.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Disney, Dish contends, uses carriage agreements to stipulate that the licensing of popular ESPN networks requires distributing less desirable content.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Uthmeier’s office and the business groups contend the proposal is misleading because of an issue about where smoking and vaping marijuana would be barred.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contend
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
The Democrats contended in the lawsuit that the denial violated laws allowing access by legislators to correctional institutions.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Disney, Dish contends, uses carriage agreements to stipulate that the licensing of popular ESPN networks requires distributing less desirable content.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Uthmeier’s office and the business groups contend the proposal is misleading because of an issue about where smoking and vaping marijuana would be barred.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
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It is measured in the millions of students striving for opportunity—most of them raising children, working jobs, serving in uniform, or making rent and mortgage payments with other bills competing for their attention.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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The Co-Production Market will feature 22 feature films and five documentaries competing for $20,000 in cash grants.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The conviction was later vacated in 2016, after a new legal team argued that Max’s original trial lawyer had a conflict of interest in the case.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
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Schumer on Saturday persisted in arguing that Republicans should accept a one-year extension of the subsidies before negotiating the future of the tax credits.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Schnapp also spoke to PEOPLE about the series ending, insisting that all loose ends had been tied — even his character’s longstanding crush on his best friend Mike (Wolfhard).—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Trump highlighted the fight over health coverage, reiterating his opposition to extending those subsidies and insisting to his party’s lawmakers that his stance would be embraced by voters.—
Alicia Diaz,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In particular, researchers have been exploring the extent to which language models can reason about language itself.—
Steve Nadis,
Quanta Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
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The bride tried to reason, insisting her niece was perfect for the role.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This person alleged that Turness was blocked from doing so by Shah, the BBC’s chairman.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Nov. 2025
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Clase’s involvement in the scheme is alleged to have started in 2023.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Police, prosecutors and the family of Gastonia homicide victim John Luke Moore gathered at police headquarters Wednesday to plead with the public for information in the 2021 case.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Department of Justice said Steven Anthony Cowles, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Iran unveiled its Fattah missile in 2023, claiming speeds of Mach 13 to 15.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
9 Nov. 2025
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China has undertaken a massive expansion of sites linked to missile production since 2020, bolstering its ability to potentially deter the US military and assert its dominance in the region, a new CNN analysis of satellite images, maps and government notices reveals.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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