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
But Becker contended that there are many factors that can influence voter turnout, in particular, California’s strong blue tilt.
—
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Defense attorneys contended that Anthony believed he was threatened and acted to protect himself after physical contact occurred.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 14 June 2026
The suit, filed by former employee Jongbyuk Kim on July 31, 2024, in Sacramento County Superior Court, contended that Kru Partners, LLLC had failed to pay overtime and correct sick time wages to its hourly workers.
—Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Bass also contended in interviews that Crowley failed to inform her of the fire danger presented by forecasted Santa Ana winds — despite those warnings being widely publicized by the National Weather Service and in media reports for days in advance.
—City News Service, Daily News, 10 June 2026
First-round pick Shemar Stewart was sitting in front of his locker and contended the Bengals care more about winning negotiations than games.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 9 June 2026
Prosecutors argued Anthony intentionally stabbed Metcalf during an altercation between the two teenagers, while defense attorneys contended Anthony acted in self-defense.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Similar to Price, National Parents Union President Keri Rodrigues contended that stakeholders must heed parents' calls for their children to be tech-fluent students of tomorrow.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 9 June 2026
For years, archaeologists contended that the riverbed near Solothurn could contain a pile trestle due to the unique characteristics of this small municipality in Switzerland.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Defense attorneys contended that Anthony believed he was threatened and acted to protect himself after physical contact occurred.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 14 June 2026
The suit, filed by former employee Jongbyuk Kim on July 31, 2024, in Sacramento County Superior Court, contended that Kru Partners, LLLC had failed to pay overtime and correct sick time wages to its hourly workers.
—Allison Gibson, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Bass also contended in interviews that Crowley failed to inform her of the fire danger presented by forecasted Santa Ana winds — despite those warnings being widely publicized by the National Weather Service and in media reports for days in advance.
—City News Service, Daily News, 10 June 2026
First-round pick Shemar Stewart was sitting in front of his locker and contended the Bengals care more about winning negotiations than games.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 9 June 2026
Prosecutors argued Anthony intentionally stabbed Metcalf during an altercation between the two teenagers, while defense attorneys contended Anthony acted in self-defense.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Similar to Price, National Parents Union President Keri Rodrigues contended that stakeholders must heed parents' calls for their children to be tech-fluent students of tomorrow.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 9 June 2026
For years, archaeologists contended that the riverbed near Solothurn could contain a pile trestle due to the unique characteristics of this small municipality in Switzerland.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended
Verb
-
Hodge previously competed in the 2024 Olympics and is the 2024 U20 champion in the 200 meters, running for the British Virgin Islands in both.—
Nicole Bennett,
AJC.com,
12 June 2026
-
Finalists from the United States, Brazil, Germany, Spain, and beyond, competed on stage in front of fans, family, and media.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
The groups argued that the site of the garden runs afoul of federal laws and has not been authorized by Congress.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
Opponents to the development argued that the circumstances are different and that the court's decision does not apply to the Greeley case.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Meloni has insisted that any use of Italian bases for offensive operations would require parliamentary backing.—
Seung Min Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
One of the key requirements insisted on by the city was that the entire facility be rated to withstand a Cat 5 hurricane.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
21 June 2026
Verb
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Police said the bail agent and driver fought, and the agent fired one round, with the bullet striking the suspect in the arm.—
Hannah McIlree,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Thousands of Black men fought in the conflict for the Continental Army, the British or in pursuit of their own chance at liberation.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
In the governor's race, Kemp reasoned that Jones is the right man to defeat Democratic nominee and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
-
But the tone was reasoned and much rang true.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
But some companies are still holding non-refundable film credits that were issued before then, and could not be claimed against tax liability due to previous state limits on credit utilization.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
19 June 2026
-
Alexander Davis, 34, of North Carolina, was a weapon systems officer for the 419th Flight Test Squadron, and had flown B-52 missions for years before the tragic crash that claimed his life.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The tradition of dragon boat races was born from the story that people raced out in boats to search for the poet and threw rice into the river so fish would not eat his body.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 June 2026
-
Across southeast Asia, governments have raced to facilitate deployment of electric vehicles and other fuel-efficiency measures.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Trump has asserted multiple times in recent weeks the countries were on the cusp of a deal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
-
Robinson checked out of the game, and Wembanyama asserted his dominance.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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