1
as in competing
to engage in a contest
two traditional rivals contending for the championship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
3
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
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Recent Examples of contending
Many of his peers and former rivals have long since retired, burned out by the task of recruiting and coaching while also raising funds from boosters in order to build title-contending rosters.
—
Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
An Ohio congresswoman is asking a judge to issue an order to take Donald Trump‘s name off the Kennedy Center, contending that the board of the arts institution violated the law in that only Congress can make such a change.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
The Miami Marlins find themselves in a familiar limbo of either contending for the postseason or heading into another rebuilding year.
—Takashi Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The Carolina Panthers had the kind of free agency that could impact their contending chances in 2026 and beyond.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
That 72-52 victory boosted beliefs internally and externally that the Bruins were capable of contending.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
The Stars looked sloppy Sunday on the second night of a back-to-back against two contending teams.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
For a Wild Card team that returns almost its entire defense, save for coordinator Jesse Minter, the Bolts have done enough to put themselves back in the contending conversation this offseason.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
Musk’s lawyers motioned for a mistrial several times during the contentious trial, contending that the billionaire Tesla CEO can’t get a fair trial in San Francisco because of animosity toward him from the public.
—Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
An Ohio congresswoman is asking a judge to issue an order to take Donald Trump‘s name off the Kennedy Center, contending that the board of the arts institution violated the law in that only Congress can make such a change.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
The Miami Marlins find themselves in a familiar limbo of either contending for the postseason or heading into another rebuilding year.
—Takashi Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The Carolina Panthers had the kind of free agency that could impact their contending chances in 2026 and beyond.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
That 72-52 victory boosted beliefs internally and externally that the Bruins were capable of contending.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
The Stars looked sloppy Sunday on the second night of a back-to-back against two contending teams.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
For a Wild Card team that returns almost its entire defense, save for coordinator Jesse Minter, the Bolts have done enough to put themselves back in the contending conversation this offseason.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
Musk’s lawyers motioned for a mistrial several times during the contentious trial, contending that the billionaire Tesla CEO can’t get a fair trial in San Francisco because of animosity toward him from the public.
—Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contending
Verb
-
Republicans have attempted to drive a similar wedge over transgender politics, holding a vote last weekend on whether to restrict biological males from competing in women’s sports, but Democrats managed to stay united in opposing the legislation in a 49-41 vote.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Cherelus, Martin-Scott, Njongmeta and Windmon will all be competing for depth jobs.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to the judge’s order, Homeland Security is arguing that the legal basis of the deportations stems from a Biden-era agreement in which Mexico agreed to accept up to 30,000 Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians and Venezuelans monthly.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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The manager of a nearby bodega said the victims were arguing with another teen before the shooting erupted.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The nine-page complaint asks for construction to be halted, alleging the developer never went to the Michigan City Board of Zoning Appeals.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Back in November 2024, a whistleblower filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging, among other issues, misuse of resources and abuse of power at the union.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Predictably, our children will develop deeper critical-thinking and independent-reasoning abilities.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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Like Sherlock Holmes or Benoit Blanc, Grace relies on reasoning to uncover the truth — only, in his case, billions of lives depend on his deductions.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Around this time Denise and Aaron filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Vallejo claiming defamation and emotional distress.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Benefits can begin as early as age 62, but claiming early typically means accepting a smaller monthly payment.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most people are happy to see Becca asserting herself, but others are only happy for her as long as Adam is another resident and not a staff member.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
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But Kavanaugh was defending a state’s right to require ballots to be received by Election Day, not asserting that all states must do so.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The decision by Republicans to isolate the language on voter ID, part of days of rolling debate on the SAVE America Act, was spurred by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) insisting that Democrats do not oppose that specific requirement and have backed it in the past.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
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Iranian officials are publicly insisting that no negotiations are taking place.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Johnson took a plea agreement in January, pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and tampering with physical evidence.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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In October, former Kansas City Fire Captain Christopher Siegel was sentenced to 60 days in jail and five years’ probation after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated in Clay County in May 2023 — his fourth DWI since 2016.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contending. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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