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 The union has long contended that teams can generate revenue and profits outside of the MLB club through mixed-use developments, RSN ownership and other avenues. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2026 Following an afternoon event in Cicero with other members of the Democratic ticket, Pritzker contended that Democrats don’t need to hold the Michigan seat to win control of the Senate. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026 Musk contended that United Launch Alliance had a monopoly and said SpaceX should be eligible to bid. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026 Vogelsong-Parvin, in her closing argument, contended that Nakira did not act like a grieving parent. — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026 Many leaders like Knapp contended that technology is useful for an initial snapshot of their guests, but could not replace human connection. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Prosecutors have contended that Sanon was more than an unwitting political hopeful. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026 Belgal's attorneys contended ICE agents arrested Belgal without a warrant. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Sweeping as its powers were, Kanji contended, DHS could not override a sovereign government. — Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended
  1. competed
  2. argued
  3. insisted
  4. fought
  5. reasoned
  6. claimed
  7. raced
  8. asserted
Verb
  • The candidates competed to replace Early, West Sacramento’s first Black City Council member, who decided not to seek reelection after five years in office.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The candidates also competed aggressively for black voters, another constituency with significant political influence in Michigan.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of competed
Verb
  • Yet, Poindexter also argued the promises have not been lived up to.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The veteran luxury executive was discussing the IFM’s 40th anniversary, and argued that its teaching across business, design and artisanal know-how makes the Paris fashion school unique — and uniquely powerful.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of argued
Verb
  • While the case settled, Fairey had insisted his artistic transformation of an Associated Press photograph constituted fair use.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux insisted underage drinking is a problem that bar owners must address.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of insisted
Verb
  • What’s so vexing about the futility is people had such high expectations for this team, which still has a lot of the players who fought through injuries and won 11 games in each of the past two seasons.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Missing three starters, Orlando didn’t back down, fought hard throughout the night and forced overtime inside Chase Center.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of fought
Verb
  • Biggs reasoned Ford should have known her failure to include the student-athlete eligibility warning put her in the wrong.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The leader of the world’s largest chip company reasoned that his success wouldn’t have been possible without the opportunities America afforded him.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of reasoned
Verb
  • Iran established a chokehold on the strait, a vital strategic waterway in global trade, at the beginning of the war, and has claimed attacks on tankers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Wokoso academics have long claimed that Latinos turn conservative in a desire to become white.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of claimed
Verb
  • In the fourth quarter, the Chiefs were up eleven points, and Jackson raced along the right edge and into the end zone, clinching the last leg of the parlay.
    — New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
  • As emergency crews raced to the scene, callers struggled to understand what had happened, and some described what sounded like an explosion.
    — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of raced
Verb
  • Michelle asserted that the British government knows what happened was wrong.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Defense attorney Steve Haney asserted during the first trial that prosecutors lacked physical evidence linking Rinderknecht to arson or any records showing an intent to commit arson.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 2 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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