1
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
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Recent Examples of contended
The first cohort of seniors to have contended — not always enthusiastically — with a digital society has reached the age when cognitive impairment becomes more common.
—
Paul Spann, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
As Elizabeth Hardwick and others have contended over the years, criticism has too often diminished as a form of argument and rigorous engagement.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
As far as AliExpress is concerned, the ITIF contended that counterfeits on the marketplace are more blatant.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 25 Aug. 2025
Newsom on Thursday contended his state was still setting a model.
—Sophie Austin, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
That leaves us looking at the teams that have contended the past few years — the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers in the West, and Carolina, the Tampa Bay Lightning and (maybe) Toronto in the East — as the likely candidates.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
The defense contended that Wright had pulled a gun on Hairston-Bassette and shot him in the hand, and that Hairston-Bassette wrestled the gun from him during a struggle.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2025
Kennedy has long contended that the advisors on those panels have close ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
—Annika Kim Constantino,bertha Coombs,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025
Newsmax also contended that what Kelly said was protected opinion.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025
Paul Spann, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
As Elizabeth Hardwick and others have contended over the years, criticism has too often diminished as a form of argument and rigorous engagement.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
As far as AliExpress is concerned, the ITIF contended that counterfeits on the marketplace are more blatant.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 25 Aug. 2025
Newsom on Thursday contended his state was still setting a model.
—Sophie Austin, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025
That leaves us looking at the teams that have contended the past few years — the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers in the West, and Carolina, the Tampa Bay Lightning and (maybe) Toronto in the East — as the likely candidates.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
The defense contended that Wright had pulled a gun on Hairston-Bassette and shot him in the hand, and that Hairston-Bassette wrestled the gun from him during a struggle.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2025
Kennedy has long contended that the advisors on those panels have close ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
—Annika Kim Constantino,bertha Coombs,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025
Newsmax also contended that what Kelly said was protected opinion.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended
Verb
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Drennan, 43, grew up helping his brothers and uncles build derby cars and later competed in a few derbies himself.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Olympic champion and silver medalist competed seven times this season.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a court filing ahead of the settlement in the music label fight, IA had argued that labels had added an avalanche of infringing works so late into the lawsuit to create leverage to force a settlement.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
15 Sep. 2025
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Education Assembly Bill 715 was the only priority bill of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, aiming to address antisemitism in California public schools that authors have argued has become worse in recent years, as the war between Israel and Hamas continues in Gaza.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Soliman, friends say, insisted on trying to clear his name.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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In a joint interview ahead of the press conference in Paris, Braud and Reybaud insisted on the jury’s deep industry connections but an impartial outlook that extended to the choice of the event’s partners, chosen for their independance from the jewelers or their parents groups.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The fire is fought by four engines, one water tender, two dozers and two hand crews.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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After the hit, defenseman Braden Hache, who split time between Barracuda of the AHL and Wichita of the ECHL last season, stepped in and fought Francis.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If making movies couldn’t happen for him, Newell eventually reasoned his next best thing might be to stage movies live.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
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For decades, astronomers have reasoned that a low abundance of H₂ early on resulted in hotter clouds whose internal pressure would be too hot to easily collapse into stars.—
Luke Keller,
Space.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trump claimed without evidence that McEntarfer had manipulated statistics for political reasons.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
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It is claimed to be the most powerful and efficient iPhone chip to date.—
Prakhar Khanna,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bradley McCroskey caught a miraculous 26-yard touchdown pass on the final play of regulation, then Temi Ericson raced nearly untouched for a 25-yard TD in overtime to give the Indians a 34-28 victory.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Bruins never looked back, despite Sweetwyne settling into the game and engineering four scoring drives to keep the Falcons from getting boat-raced.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Chris Kirschner of The Athletic asserted that the best possible first-round playoff opponent for the Yankees would be the Houston Astros, who are a perfect 4-0 against the Bronx Bombers in the playoffs since 2015.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Jones asserted that exigent circumstances warranted the shortening of the 15-day notice window.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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