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

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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
3
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 Consumer Watchdog contended in its lawsuit that the surcharges violated Proposition 103 — the 1988 measure that governs insurer rate hikes — because the proposition does not allow for them. — Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Responding to public criticism, Justice Samuel Alito contended that the court isn’t to blame for the rise in shadow docket cases. — Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 1 July 2026 Some contended James doesn’t think the Lakers have the same priorities to contend for an NBA title in the 2025-26 season. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Allen contended that the man was trying to catfish him by pretending to be multiple attractive women. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 June 2026 The First Amendment Coalition contended that by withholding the records, the city violated the state Public Records Act as well as a portion of the state Constitution and a state law that controls which law enforcement records must legally be released. — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2026 Patrick contended the camp shouldn't reopen until the flood was fully investigated. — Laura Romero, ABC News, 24 June 2026 Administration officials have contended the interim deal is designed to stop hostilities and create a 60-day window for a broader agreement. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 June 2026 Experts contended that the progressive candidates could split the vote, opening the door for McAdams to win. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended
  1. competed
  2. argued
  3. insisted
  4. fought
  5. reasoned
  6. claimed
  7. raced
  8. asserted
Verb
  • Pattison famously played vampire Edward in the teen fantasy saga, who competed with werewolf Jacob (Taylor Lautner) for the affection of Bella (Kristen Stewart).
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026
  • More than 200 Russian and Belarusian athletes competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
    — Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 7 July 2026
Definition of competed
Verb
  • Defense attorneys argued during the trial that the defendants planned a peaceful protest and noise demonstration with fireworks to show support for people detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
    — Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of argued
Verb
  • Her multi-show stint for the Renaissance tour was meant to be for only one night; however, after reading some negative comments about her first performance, the then-11-year-old insisted on trying again.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026
  • However, Iran has insisted its theocracy is unified after the war under the country’s new supreme leader.
    — Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of insisted
Verb
  • The future king of Britain descends from American patriots who fought against the crown he is destined to inherit, according to a new book tracing Prince William's family tree.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • Both exist in spite of the odds, symbols of perseverance and community — memorials to those who fought to establish a new country and a new state, and who happened to do it in a place that proved particularly untamable.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of fought
Verb
  • Should the luminiferous ether exist, then scientists reasoned that as the Earth orbits the sun at around 66,000 miles per hour (106,216 kilometers per hour), our planet should be moving through the ether, which had been deemed to be stationary.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 July 2026
  • Which is try to be reasonable and reasoned, try to apply logic, try to be fair, try not to straw man people on opposing sides of arguments.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
Definition of reasoned
Verb
  • Attorneys for the owners of the landfill, which stopped accepting trash last year, claimed this spring in the litigation that the lawsuits may be tainted by fraud.
    — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
  • The lefty reliever whom the Cubs claimed off waivers in January is now one of the club’s success stories.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of claimed
Verb
  • The Speed actor met Hollinger — who raced motorcycles as a child until age 34, eventually launching his own custom-bike building business — in 2009, when Reeves commissioned Hollinger to build a bike for him.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
  • An islandwide blackout plunged Cuba’s nearly 10 million residents into darkness Monday, exposing a crumbling power grid and dwindling fuel reserves as officials raced to restore electricity.
    — Milexsy Durán, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of raced
Verb
  • In the period that elapsed between the shooting and when police officers searched Langs’ car, there was time for a gun to disappear, Lowthorp asserted.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Education advocates have asserted that California schools are legally entitled to billions more under state law.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of asserted

Browse Nearby Words

contend
contended
contended (with)
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Cite this Entry

“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of contended for Spanish Speakers

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