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
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
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
Verb
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For decades, companies competed on their ability to produce more efficiently, at a greater scale and preferably at higher quality.
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The last time Williams competed at The Championships, Wimbledon came in 2022.
Verb
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The settlement stems from a 2022 federal class action suit filed by YouTube TV subscribers who argued that Disney used its control over must-have programming, including content tied to ESPN and Hulu, to influence the broader live streaming market.
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Blutinger, a Jewish studies professor at Long Beach State University, had argued that Israel was not committing genocide in Gaza and that the protests on university campuses seemed supportive of Hamas.
Verb
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Slave owners insisted that human bondage fulfilled God’s will.
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Even with some international teams packing up to go home, Rodríguez late Thursday insisted that the government was not winding down rescue efforts.
Verb
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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.
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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.
Verb
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With no energy available to warm the planet to these temperatures, the team reasoned that the temperature must be a residual effect of prior warming either from being engulfed by the red giant or during an inward migration.
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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.
Verb
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The Dodgers claimed a series win in the four-game home set against their division rival, with the chance to sweep Sunday.
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Russia meanwhile has claimed that its forces now control the important town of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Verb
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Immigrants crowded waiting rooms and spilled into hallways as clerks raced to process around 100 people scheduled for an administrative hearing that morning.
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The Kansas City Royals raced out to a quick lead against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.
Verb
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Cruz asserted that the fleet causes environmental damage and threatens endangered wildlife.
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Vance asserted that the 2020 election was rigged due to tech companies censoring information.
Cite this Entry
“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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