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

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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

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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 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 While the competition is still several weeks out, some of the first marmots in the competition have already been introduced on the contending marmots Instagram. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 The Crowley campaign reacted to the Michigan election result by contending Hong's margin is not as wide as polling predicts, arguing her voter coalition is one that has never occurred in a statewide race in the Badger State. — Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 10 Aug. 2026 In addition to contending for national titles, the men will compete for spots on the 2026 World Championship Team. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Union officials and House Democrats close to labor dismissed Welch’s claim, contending Benton had no real influence over organized labor’s decisions. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 But their focus on trying to enhance their chances of contending in 2026 cannot be questioned. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026 Seattle doesn’t have a single forward who would be considered a top-line player on a Cup-contending team. — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Malinick expects that availability will also be short-lived, contending that the Blackbird will be entirely presold during Monterey Car Week, when a show prototype breaks cover on August 14 at the Quail, a Motorsports Gathering. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contending

Verb

But the public should also understand what happens when institutions reduce job security while continuing to pay way less than competing employers.

— Francisco Ruiz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Setting a new standard This June, Penn State football players lined the on-campus baseball stadium to greet athletes competing in the Pennsylvania Special Olympics.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of competing

Verb

Murdaugh’s defense quickly responded on Thursday, arguing none of the alternative locations proposed by the state meet their criteria.

— Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Kestou filed a motion last December to dismiss the charge, arguing the fire, not his storage of the canisters, caused Salter's death.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of arguing

Verb

Democratic lawmakers demand investigations and an oversight visit, alleging dangerous conditions and poor treatment aboard the Lincoln, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismisses the reports as exaggerated and misrepresented.

— Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Now, the City of Oakland is suing the property owner, Mosser Living, alleging elderly and disabled tenants were left stranded in their homes and that the prolonged elevator outage was part of a much broader pattern of neglect.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleging

Verb

Other planning engines run scenarios sequentially, in cycles measured in hours, which is why their AI can only report on what has already been computed rather than reasoning live, KetteQ said.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
The use that matters is reasoning at the points where determinism breaks down.

— Chris Wade, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasoning

Verb

Lang and other anti-Islam protesters marched in Dearborn in November 2025, clashing with counter-protesters and claiming the area is not friendly to those who are non-Muslim.

— Heath Kalb, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
However, maritime law experts point out claiming a territory is not this simple.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of claiming

Verb

The defendant’s lawyers disputed that argument, asserting the evidence doesn’t prove Robinson’s motivation was connected to Kirk’s political or religious beliefs.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
Yes, some companies are asserting that automation has made many employees redundant, and are conducting layoffs accordingly.

— Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of asserting

Verb

The world’s most critical waterway remains functionally closed, despite the president insisting that the US retains total control of it.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
When confronted with this brazen conflict of standards during last week’s special session, members of the General Assembly simply dismissed the contradiction, insisting that the law does not apply to them.

— Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026