Synonyms of contended

contended

verb

past tense of contend

1

as in competed

to engage in a contest

two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• competed
• fought
• raced
• battled
• vied
• rivaled
• challenged
• played
• engaged
• faced off
• maneuvered
• went out
• worked
• jostled
• jockeyed
• tried out
• trained

2

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

• argued
• reasoned
• asserted
• pleaded
• maintained
• insisted
• convinced
• claimed
• explained
• mentioned
• justified
• suggested
• persuaded
• cited
• considered
• proposed
• adduced
• affirmed
• averred
• submitted
• defended
• urged
• offered
• discussed
• advocated
• advised
• recommended
• enforced
• championed
• countered
• gave
• espoused
• refuted
• rationalized
• counseled
• avowed
• debated
• advanced
• supported
• avouched
• rebutted
• disproved
• confuted

3

as in insisted

to state as a fact usually forcefully

contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insisted
• claimed
• alleged
• asserted
• maintained
• declared
• argued
• affirmed
• protested
• announced
• proclaimed
• averred
• professed
• purported
• avowed
• confirmed
• warranted
• reasoned
• defended
• put forth
• avouched
• justified
• rationalized
• vindicated
• upheld
• broadcast
• reaffirmed
• persevered
• supported
• reasserted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• denied
• abandoned
• rejected
• challenged
• repudiated
• disputed
• disclaimed
• questioned
• disavowed
• gainsaid
• negated
• disowned
• refuted
• countered
• negatived
• rebutted
• disproved
• contradicted
• confuted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contended

The year 1933, Arendt contended, marked the close of the age of bourgeois emancipation and Jewish liberation, which brought an end to a feeling of security in the West and signaled that the new sense of security in the East was a pipe dream. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

The union’s original grievance, the city contended, only challenged Biscari’s suspension pending resolution of his criminal case — not the underlying disciplinary action for the crash itself. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026

Carr has contended that the FCC nonetheless has statutory authority to scrap the rule — a position that is likely to face legal pushback. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026

In May, shortly after Comey’s indictment, Blanche—by then the acting Attorney General and angling to get the top spot on a permanent basis—contended that the government had more to go on than the single photo. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

The former five-star recruit never seriously contended for a starting job there, what with Mario Cristobal bringing in Bo Nix before Thompson’s second season. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 24 July 2026

In that case, New York Attorney General Letitia James contended that promoting an unapproved treatment – one that medical studies have found to be dangerous – could violate state consumer fraud laws. — Lucinda M. Finley, The Conversation, 24 July 2026

Crump contended there was no reason for the police to chase Ruiz in the first place. — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 24 July 2026

The researchers contended that overall compliance with legal reporting requirements was weak and regulatory oversight is lacking. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 23 July 2026