CONTENDED Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

contended

verb

Definition of contended next

past tense of contend

as in competed

to engage in a contest two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in argued

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

as in insisted

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 contended Baldoni’s team contended that Reynolds, the couple’s rep, and the Times made additional statements about Lively’s smear-campaign allegations. —

Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 4 May 2026 OpenAI has contended in court papers, according to the Post, that Zilis was quietly sharing information with Musk at their expense. —

Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026 The company's lawyers have contended that the Oklahoma case in which Drummond intervened is a private dispute that doesn't involve government officials or public funds. —

Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026 And in an effort to rebut claims that Comey was being selectively prosecuted, Blanche contended the case against the former FBI director was similar to other threats cases the department routinely brings against the lesser known. —

Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026 Rivera’s defense team contended that the gun went off inadvertently in a struggle after Rosen reached into the car and grabbed Rivera. —

John Annese, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026 Still, Döpfner has contended that Axel Springer’s public commitment to those values has helped build trust with audiences. —

Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026 Though the large parties associated with Spring Weekend were not sanctioned by UConn, the lawsuit contended that university officials knew about the troubles and potential dangers that would ensue based, in part, on previous altercations that had occurred. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026 Veteran organizations and psychedelic advocates have long contended that ibogaine, which is made from a shrub native to West Africa, has great promise for hard-to-treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addiction. —

Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended

Verb

The class action represents approximately 12,000 student-athletes who have either competed in D-I tennis since March 19, 2020, or who were deemed ineligible to compete due to prize money rules.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 May 2026
Drivers who have competed for Spire include William Byron, Justin Haley and Corey LaJoie.

— Chase Jordan May 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 May 2026