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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Additionally, buzzyworthy artists Shaboozey and Dasha each scored nods in the MTV Push Performance of the Year category, while Wallen competed for Artist of the Year, Best Album and Song of the Summer.—
Matthew Leimkuehler,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Brandt also competed in track and field and played on a club volleyball team.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bayrou had argued that young people in France are being burdened with years of debt to accommodate boomers.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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The county argued the action didn't violate First Amendment rights because the books were still available to all library users — a point Lesko, Brophy McGee and Stewart stressed for Maricopa County's action.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
8 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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White soldiers were reluctant to serve alongside the largely Black battalion, so the Harlem Hellfighters fought alongside the Allied French, fighting off enemy soldiers and becoming the first unit to reach the Rhine River.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
6 Sep. 2025
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Imavov has fought four times since then.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Although the political protests in Los Angeles included some violence, the judge reasoned that the violence did not rise to a rebellion and did not prevent a traditional police response.—
Luke William Hunt,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
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The reaction was limited as investors reasoned that the recent ADP data was weak enough for the Federal Reserve to justify a September rate cut, but not soft enough to herald a recession.—
Sean Conlon,Sarah Min,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In explaining the oversight for such a highly visual social media app, Meta claimed limited resources and higher priorities.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Both claimed there were no imminent crime issues in the city.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Having only raced four times in her career, this Brad Cox trainee strutted her stuff on August 28 in an allowance race on opening day at this Franklin, Kentucky track.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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The tone was set on the opening play from scrimmage when defensive back John Nestor picked off a pass and raced 29 yards down the Northwestern State sideline for a touchdown that put the Gophers on top 7-0.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the interviews and non-fiction film, Deen and Glass advocated for her reputation and asserted that her racist rhetoric was not fully understood by the public.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Within the letter, the senators asserted that oversight of the Smithsonian rests with Congress from its founding, not the White House.—
Anastasia Tsioulcas,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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