CONTENDING Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

contending

verb

present participle of contend

as in competing

to engage in a contest two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in arguing

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

as in alleging

to state as a fact usually forcefully contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contending The Flames and head coach Jamey Chadwell should be back to contending in Conference USA, led by transfer running backs Kam Davis (Florida State) and Kanye Udoh (Arizona State). — Justin Williams, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Another group of scholars eventually refuted the claims in 2023, contending the ring had no connection to anyone named Pilate. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026 But soon after, Defending Education, a national conservative advocacy group filed a complaint with the Education Department, contending that students of all races struggle in Chicago schools. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 The sparkling personality of Israa lights up One in a Million, the Oscar-contending documentary that won two awards at Sundance, including the directing award for Itab Azzam and Jack Macinnes. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026 Kiley turned the criticism around, contending that his willingness to work with both parties was a strength. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Honeywell will now try to craft some similar moments with a contending Padres team. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The commission decided to require the regulatory language, contending such language is needed to make the policies in the plan enforceable under the state’s Coastal Act. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 Her absence — along with DNPs from multiple key Liberty starters — contributed to a contending team entering Thursday in a three-way tie for sixth place in league standings. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contending

Verb

Excluding pole vault and high jump, the jumps and throws include fields of only eight athletes competing over four rounds (compared to six attempts each in an Olympic final).

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Whenever letter writer shares a baby photo on the family group chat, sister adds a competing one that draws conversation her way.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of competing

Verb

Milei has rejected calls for government intervention, arguing that unpaid debts are a private matter between borrowers and lenders rather than a symptom of wider economic distress.

— Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Reddington said his first priority is arguing later this month that a retrial would violate Clancy's constitutional protection against double jeopardy because the mistrial was declared over the defense's objection.

— Bryan Llenas , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of arguing

Verb

For that, Sperr is suing Kress, alleging tortious interference with a contract.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
The protest was part of an organized walkout at the Amazon warehouse calling for better working conditions and pay, alleging the company had illegally retaliated against workers trying to improve the workplace, according to the union.

— Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of alleging

Verb

Now apply that to everything else that a student might do in an educational setting, from reading comprehension to reasoning to critical thinking to even making friends.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
Some aldermen sought to ban them, reasoning that businesses using them should switch to the legalized, and therefore regulated and taxed, VGTs.

— Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasoning

Verb

The imposition of the tariffs stemmed from a breakdown in negotiations between the two countries in August, with each claiming the other side had unreasonable requests that would be detrimental to their respective country’s workers.

— Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2026
Holmes founded Theranos in 2003 and became one of Silicon Valley’s most celebrated young entrepreneurs by claiming the company could perform a wide range of medical tests using only a few drops of blood.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of claiming

Verb

Know More The government has, in the wake of Ruto’s comments, offered undocumented East Africans a 90-day window to regularize their status, insisting the policy is about enforcing immigration and business rules rather than targeting foreigners.

— Vivianne Wandera, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Haaretz says Netanyahu responded calmly, insisting Israel was prepared and the greater threat lay in the West Bank, while his office now brands the report an ‘absolute lie’ and rejects calls for an inquiry.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of insisting

Verb

Instead, last Friday, Bommeli accepted a last-minute plea deal, pleading no contest to a lesser charge of manslaughter, desecration of a human corpse and possession of a firearm after a former felony conviction.

— Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
Smith is serving a minimum of 13 years and one month in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in Hayes’ fatal shooting.

— Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026