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
Carter’s press secretary Jody Powell contended that journalistic attack dogs foamed at the mouth.
—
Amber Roessner / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Attorneys for the city contended that the Municipal Court's recording practices do not violate the state law and that Legal Action of Wisconsin was trying to expand the scope of the law to include recording more hearings than required.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
The Teamsters have contended before the National Labor Relations Board that the drivers, who are easily identifiable by their distinctive gray-blue Amazon uniforms and matching vans, should be considered direct employees of the company.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
In advance of his trial, Girardi’s defense attorneys had contended that their client was mentally incompetent and suffered from a form of dementia.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Leaper contended that the expectations of what makes a supermodel are always changing and the goal posts are getting more competitive as models are now up against actors and musicians for magazine covers.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024
In the statement, Martinez contended that the Board of Supervisors can’t set policy for the Sheriff’s Office.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Others have contended the trouble stems from the heated debate over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, while still others have attributed the problems to culture war battles, including LGBTQ issues such as transgender rights.
—Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
Other researchers contended that these communities hunted for larger game.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
Amber Roessner / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Attorneys for the city contended that the Municipal Court's recording practices do not violate the state law and that Legal Action of Wisconsin was trying to expand the scope of the law to include recording more hearings than required.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
The Teamsters have contended before the National Labor Relations Board that the drivers, who are easily identifiable by their distinctive gray-blue Amazon uniforms and matching vans, should be considered direct employees of the company.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
In advance of his trial, Girardi’s defense attorneys had contended that their client was mentally incompetent and suffered from a form of dementia.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Leaper contended that the expectations of what makes a supermodel are always changing and the goal posts are getting more competitive as models are now up against actors and musicians for magazine covers.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024
In the statement, Martinez contended that the Board of Supervisors can’t set policy for the Sheriff’s Office.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Others have contended the trouble stems from the heated debate over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, while still others have attributed the problems to culture war battles, including LGBTQ issues such as transgender rights.
—Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
Other researchers contended that these communities hunted for larger game.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended
Verb
-
Job openings rose to historic levels, unemployment fell to its lowest point since the late 1960s and wages grew at their fastest pace in decades as businesses competed for talent.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Summer Olympics Paris, host of the 2024 Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11, was bursting at the seams with activity as around 8 million visitors attended The Games, along with the 10,500 athletes who competed for glory.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But hemp farmers have long argued that these regulations were excessive – and in 2018, Congress agreed.—
Katharine Neill Harris,
The Conversation,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The administration has now surpassed what even the strongest proponents of presidential power may have once argued.—
Claire B. Wofford,
The Conversation,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Hamas has insisted on sticking to the initial framework signed with Israel in January, which would have seen parties move to a second phase on March 1.—
Nadeen Ebrahim and Ibrahim Dahman,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
-
The Innies insisted on exploring the outside world.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In May 2024, they were even seen dancing alongside each other at a public event in which the dictator asserted Zimbabwe's intention to compete for the hosting rights of the 2027 Cricket World Cup.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
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Huang asserted that the groundbreaking model will actually require more computation than many in the industry thought.—
Julie Coleman,
CNBC,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The patients alleged the company didn’t disclose the risk of false positives in genetic testing on embryos, which led them to discard potentially viable embryos.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2025
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Because of his status as a prestige member, the club turned a blind eye to the abuse, the lawsuit alleged − the organization was ultimately not part of the trial.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Ferrari driver maintained the lead on the opening lap and steadily built a gap, trying to break the DRS window to the Red Bull driver on his tail.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Hamilton maintained his lead throughout the 19-lap sprint race and defended the position from Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen, who lost the second spot to Piastri after his front tires began to wear out significantly.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In July 2024, a mistrial was declared.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Dale was hospitalized and declared brain dead the following day.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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