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 Atlanta Braves and a few other contending clubs could make a run for the Blue Jays' shortstop, too.
—
Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
The indictment contends that Jones provided information regarding key players on the Los Angeles Lakers’ status in advance of games on two dates to enable third-parties to make potentially favorable bets.
—Samidh Guha, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
In its court filings Friday, the administration contended that the judge had usurped both legislative and executive authority.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
This recent stretch for the Sharks includes wins over playoff-contending teams like the New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche, and now the Jets, last season’s Presidents’ Trophy winners.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
The indictment contends that Jones provided information regarding key players on the Los Angeles Lakers’ status in advance of games on two dates to enable third-parties to make potentially favorable bets.
—Samidh Guha, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
In its court filings Friday, the administration contended that the judge had usurped both legislative and executive authority.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
This recent stretch for the Sharks includes wins over playoff-contending teams like the New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche, and now the Jets, last season’s Presidents’ Trophy winners.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
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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Trump has long insisted that the election was rigged, despite there being no evidence of that.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
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To get there, Puerto Ricans must demand transparency about military activities, insist on environmental justice, and hold accountable both local officials who enable this militarism and federal agencies that perpetuate it.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
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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According to records, Martínez faced robbery charges in the US, pleaded guilty, and was released on bail before being arrested and sent to a Salvadoran prison.—
Rocio Muñoz-Ledo,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
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Cody, a former Kansas City police captain hired in Marion in 2023, pleaded not guilty last month to illegally ordering a witness to delete text messages between them in the weeks surrounding the raid.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
12 Nov. 2025
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 29 Nov. 2025.
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