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 prosecution contended that the daughter-in-law knowingly took specific steps leading up to Fraser’s disappearance, including arranging for his girlfriend to be at a spa on the day of the disappearance and disabling mobile phone service in the couple’s home.
—
Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Gillett contended the utilities were gouging the public.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Miami ended 5-22 against playoff teams in the Tua era, and in the 2023-24 seasons, the years Miami should have contended for a Super Bowl, Tua was 2-10 against postseason teams with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Other supporters contended in their comments that CPW’s data — including population estimates of furbearer species — was lacking.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
The defense also contended that venue was improper in the Southern District of New York.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Drummond contended the rule was backed by private companies hired by the state to manage SoonerCare coverage.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 25 Feb. 2026
The prosecutors contended that state actions, such as a prosecution, do not supersede federal actions.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Feb. 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, 24 Feb. 2026
Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Gillett contended the utilities were gouging the public.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Miami ended 5-22 against playoff teams in the Tua era, and in the 2023-24 seasons, the years Miami should have contended for a Super Bowl, Tua was 2-10 against postseason teams with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Other supporters contended in their comments that CPW’s data — including population estimates of furbearer species — was lacking.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
The defense also contended that venue was improper in the Southern District of New York.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Drummond contended the rule was backed by private companies hired by the state to manage SoonerCare coverage.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 25 Feb. 2026
The prosecutors contended that state actions, such as a prosecution, do not supersede federal actions.
—Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Feb. 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, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended
Verb
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Nader competed on season 33 of Dancing with the Stars.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Landes' daughter actually competed her freshman year at UT Martin, but transferred to UC Davis to be closer to her hometown in Northern California.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And the prosecutors argued that Lauer’s decision to wait eight years after the initial FBI raid to enter a guilty plea should result in a longer sentence.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The district argued there was another year left before there were five failed ratings in a row, but the judge panel struck down this argument, among others.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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True enough, and that’s because lawmakers have insisted on throwing money at problems by burdening Californians with some of the highest taxes in the country.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar insisted that more than 300 Taliban officials had been killed in strikes on Kabul and two other cities.—
Mihir Sharma,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These are people who fought alongside American troops during our last forever war.—
Shawn Vandiver,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
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Pata's teammates told investigators the two had previously physically fought and Jones had threatened Pata.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Judge Gutierrez reasoned that jurors’ confusion about the evidence was apparent in their assessment of damages.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In a republican federation, the Founders reasoned, only the people’s representatives should be able to commit the country to war.—
William J Watkins Jr,
Oc Register,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Long-range drones operated by a special operations unit of the Ukraine Security Service struck a major oil depot and transshipment terminal in southern Russia's Krasnodar region, a senior Ukrainian official claimed Thursday.—
HANNA ARHIROVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
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Ukraine targets Russian energy sites Long-range drones operated by a special operations unit of the Ukraine Security Service struck a major oil depot and transshipment terminal in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region, a senior Ukrainian official claimed Thursday.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 2020 Democratic presidential primary, the party's last open nominating contest, featured a rush to the left as candidates raced to embrace far-reaching ideas including Medicare-for-all, the Green New Deal and aggressive taxes on billionaires.—
JEFF STEIN THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
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Storms that raced through the area early Friday, with frequent lightning and thunder, are expected to linger into the morning before moving out, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war, but modern presidents have asserted broad authority to use military force.—
Sam Gringlas,
NPR,
10 Mar. 2026
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He's since recovered, and asserted himself as one of the best edge rushers in football.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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