contend

verb

kən-ˈtend How to pronounce contend (audio)
Definition of contendnext
1
as in to compete
to engage in a contest two traditional rivals contending for the championship

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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 Supporters of the amendments contend that Parliament had the authority to pass the changes because the constitutional two-term limit remains unchanged, even though each term would now be longer. — ABC News, 7 July 2026 Los Cafeteros have come in under the radar a touch as far as contending teams, but are favored to get past Switzerland and make the quarterfinals. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 7 July 2026 The claim, outlined in court papers, contends information shared with Iran could jeopardize the lives of pro-democracy protesters, religious minorities and LGBTQ people. — Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 7 July 2026 Kotelnicki will need to find a way to feature transfer running back Dylan Edwards and navigate a quarterback battle if the Jayhawks hope to contend for a bowl game again. — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
  1. compete
  2. argue
  3. insist
  4. reason
  5. allege
  6. plead
  7. claim
  8. assert
Verb
  • The tension between the various competing interests is handled with nuance and without taking sides, all while showing both the pitfalls and the wondrous potential of this annual spectacle.
    — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • There are two possible, competing ways in which dust can affect the Alfvén waves, which in turn could determine how energy is dumped into the corona, heating it.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of compete
Verb
  • The defense had argued to delay the hearing, saying in court filings this spring the high volume of discovery meant Robinson’s attorneys would be unable to adequately prepare.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Proponents argue recordings would solve a long-standing crisis that leaves many proceedings with no verbatim record.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of argue
Verb
  • Iran insists on retaining control over shipping through the waterway and says vessels should instead use routes through its own territorial waters.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Indeed, Brocka insists on escapist fantasies in a world that otherwise offers no escape, which, in my view, is more hopeful than bleak — and, in turn, allows this kind of gritty sensuality to persist in his ever-enduring, luminous cinema.
    — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • The update to Muse Spark beats out Google’s latest release of Gemini in benchmarks measuring coding and reasoning capabilities, according to the tech giant.
    — Ben Weiss, Fortune, 9 July 2026
  • Judge Biggs largely agreed with Williamson that Ford should have known her counterclaims were without merit, reasoning that outlook became clear after the court held the five-year contract was void as a matter of law.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Youssef alleged the property later became associated with gang activity, narcotics activity, prostitution and violence.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • The nonprofit, which alleged the county violated the Surplus Lands Act by not first exploring affordable-housing development at the site, still has not dismissed its lawsuit.
    — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Definition of allege
Verb
  • Nelson pleaded not guilty to a pair of misdemeanors in connection with the altercation.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Kelly was charged with second-degree murder and pleaded not guilty in court on June 23.
    — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of plead
Verb
  • Also requested were documents related to a lawsuit, recently settled for $135,000, claiming Kramer had given an improper assessment of a property and retaliated against an employee who complained.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • The government claimed the feature could increase cybercrime incidents and has directed the platform to pause its plans.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of claim
Verb
  • Education advocates have asserted that California schools are legally entitled to billions more under state law.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Some researchers have asserted that agents need particular kinds of internal architectures to govern the relationships between senses, cognitive processes, actions, and needs.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 8 July 2026
Definition of assert

Phrases Containing contend

Browse Nearby Words

contemptuousness
contend
contended
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Cite this Entry

“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of contend for Spanish Speakers

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