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 To shoot their Oscar-contending film Still Standing, directors Víctor Tadashi Suárez and Livia Albeck-Ripka donned hazmat suits – for good reason. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2026 In the eyes of Lakers coach JJ Redick, each game the Lakers (5-2) play is a step in a process aimed at becoming a championship-contending team. — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026 If the Big Ten was resting their hopes on Ohio State being able to put together an offense capable of contending for a national championship, then Saturday night's 30-18 loss to USC was a reality check on the current situation. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026 Going into the ceremony, fans were excited to see fledgling soap Beyond the Gates contending for its flowers. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2026 Trump has used the campaign trail to defend the Iran war, contending Tehran’s regime cannot have a nuclear weapon. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026 The students challenge that interpretation, contending that the university has not established that their individual statements constituted legally unprotected threats or caused the level of disruption required to justify punishment. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026 Which of the new top five hits is most likely to keep contending into the new year? — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2026 But one thing is certain that is not going to be a walkover for any of the contending parties at all in this election. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contending

Verb

Spaceium says its design handles higher pressures and greater docking misalignment than competing refueling interfaces.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2026
Chloe x Halle earned two nominations in this category as a duo, and both sisters are competing with solo entries this year.

— Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of competing

Verb

Sanon sidelined, his defense contends Unlike the defense mounted by the four men convicted earlier this year, Sanon’s lawyers are not arguing that others killed Moïse on July 7, 2021.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2026
Alongside its Nvidia downgrade, William Blair upgraded rival Advanced Micro Devices to buy from hold, arguing that the risk/reward has shifted in AMD's favor.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of arguing

Verb

Court records show that Williams has an additional ongoing case with charges filed alleging a physical assault against her 13-year-old child.

— Digital Producer, CBS News, 12 Nov. 2026
Jane Doe filed her lawsuit in August 2020, alleging that Ball raped her at a house party in Encino that June.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of alleging

Verb

In November 2023, a lawsuit was filed against UnitedHealthcare, claiming one of its subsidiaries denied claims for post-acute care using an artificial intelligence program without human review.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Gwinnett County was sued by a coalition of left-wing voting rights groups, including the ACLU, SPLC, and Legal Defense Fund, over the weekend, claiming that 1,820 residents did not receive their mail ballots.

— Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of claiming

Verb

Wyden also declared expanding healthcare and asserting authority over trade policy as legislative priorities for the upcoming session.

— Spencer Kimball,Garrett Downs,Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Justin Papp, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Then in June, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel issued a memo asserting that Section 504 and the ADA don’t actually mandate that states support disabled people to remain integrated in their communities.

— Rebekah Taussig, Time, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of asserting

Verb

But the monthslong dispute has devolved into a battle of competing narratives, with residents accusing ComEd of dishonesty and the utility insisting their critics misunderstand the project.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
The kitchen has been remodeled with the owners insisting on it meeting the highest standards for design excellence, craftsmanship, and ease of use.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of insisting

Verb

He was initially held without bail after pleading not guilty, but his bail was later set at $150,000 cash, according to court records.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026
In January 2024, former City Councilmember Jose Huizar — once a rising star with aspirations for higher office — was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to corruption charges.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026