Synonyms of contend

contend

verb

kən-ˈtend 

1

as in to compete

to engage in a contest

two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compete
• fight
• race
• battle
• rival
• vie
• play
• engage
• challenge
• face off
• maneuver
• try out
• jostle
• work
• go out
• jockey
• train

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

• argue
• reason
• plead
• assert
• insist
• convince
• maintain
• justify
• claim
• explain
• mention
• suggest
• persuade
• consider
• cite
• propose
• affirm
• defend
• submit
• offer
• adduce
• enforce
• urge
• advise
• recommend
• discuss
• advocate
• counsel
• give
• rationalize
• refute
• aver
• avow
• advance
• disprove
• espouse
• rebut
• support
• debate
• counter
• avouch
• champion
• confute

3

as in to insist

to state as a fact usually forcefully

contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insist
• allege
• claim
• assert
• maintain
• declare
• argue
• affirm
• announce
• proclaim
• purport
• protest
• profess
• aver
• warrant
• defend
• put forth
• avow
• confirm
• reason
• justify
• avouch
• rationalize
• vindicate
• broadcast
• persevere
• uphold
• reassert
• reaffirm
• support

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• abandon
• reject
• challenge
• negate
• repudiate
• gainsay
• negative
• disclaim
• dispute
• question
• refute
• disprove
• rebut
• contradict
• disavow
• disown
• counter
• confute

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contend

In a league in which a team like Golden State can contend for a title in only its second season, in a space where both of this year’s expansion teams — Toronto and Portland — can have better records than the Sparks, rebuilding doesn’t take much. — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Historian Jennifer Morgan similarly contends that enslaved women’s reproductive capacities were essential for the economic logic of hereditary racial slavery. — Kari Traylor, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2026

Teams on the cusp of contending today could be out of it or on a winning streak by Monday. — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

There never seems to be enough money to go around as the price of building a championship-contending roster keeps soaring. — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Phrases Containing contend

• contend (with)