contended

challenged, engaged, played

jockeyed, jostled, maneuvered

tried out, went out

trained, worked (or wrought)

adduced, cited, mentioned

claimed, insisted

affirmed, averred, avouched, avowed

advanced, gave, offered, proposed, submitted

advised, counseled (or counselled), recommended, suggested, urged

convinced, persuaded

advocated, championed, defended, enforced, espoused, supported

explained, justified, rationalized

considered, debated, discussed

confuted, countered, disproved, rebutted, refuted

announced, broadcast (also broadcasted), proclaimed

argued, rationalized, reasoned

confirmed, justified, vindicated

defended, persevered, supported, upheld

reaffirmed, reasserted