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 Beijing has so far avoided that framing, and is contending fiercely with Washington across the board. — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026 Others disagreed with Matheson’s assertion, contending that the Coliseum sale’s complications simply reflect the troubled economics behind developing the kind of sports-and-entertainment multiplex that OAC envisions. — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 13 July 2026 The Sparks’ ownership made a major shift in direction on Sunday, firing general manager Raegan Pebley amid a lackluster season that has the team just below the WNBA playoff cutoff line and far from the title-contending form Pebley promised. — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 The forward had just come off a Ballon d’Or contending season as the Champions League’s joint top scorer and highest goal contributions provider, as Barça reached the semifinals of the European competition yet landed a domestic treble. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 Robinson’s attorneys had argued against the public release of Twiggs’ statements, contending that prosecutors would label them a confession and harm their client’s right to a fair trial. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 9 July 2026 Prosecutors argued the trial judge should have first ordered a fitness assessment, contending language deprivation syndrome could amount to a mental disorder under Canada’s Criminal Code. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026 None of the Flyers’ current centers — Trevor Zegras, Christian Dvorak, Noah Cates or Sean Couturier — are likely to be a top-line center on a contending team. — Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 9 July 2026 Coastal Commission staff objected to city proposals to more aggressively shorten hours at many of the 35 affected lots, contending that would restrict coastal access too much. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contending

Verb

And there’s a lot of competing priorities for folks right now.

— Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 24 July 2026
And the Ravens didn't need three guys competing for that back-of-the-roster spot.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of competing

Verb

Since then, she’s fought for a bigger slice of his fortune, arguing in multiple court cases that her father contributed to the company’s growth with an early investment – and that her payout should be based on the 2026 valuation of Chey’s SK Group.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Black leaders have pushed back, arguing that moving South Carolina aside after just one cycle would diminish the power of Black voters in the Democratic Party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026

Definition of arguing

Verb

Van Brunt said inspection reports by a state attorney are crucial in lawsuits alleging constitutional violations.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
Taco Bell has been sued at least three times in federal court this week, with plaintiffs alleging negligence, breach of warranty and violations of deceptive trade practices law for allegedly selling contaminated lettuce.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of alleging

Verb

The update to Muse Spark beats out Google’s latest release of Gemini in benchmarks measuring coding and reasoning capabilities, according to the tech giant.

— Ben Weiss, Fortune, 9 July 2026
Judge Biggs largely agreed with Williamson that Ford should have known her counterclaims were without merit, reasoning that outlook became clear after the court held the five-year contract was void as a matter of law.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of reasoning

Verb

The Pentagon is not revealing its equipment losses, but Tehran is claiming large numbers of US Black Hawk helicopters destroyed and base infrastructure like aircraft hangars heavily damaged in its days of attacks.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
The Senate argues that the blacklist itself was not challenged by the EU Commission, claiming that only provisions giving too much power to the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication are problematic.

— Samuel Petrequin, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Definition of claiming

Verb

But Khamenei has remained hidden from public view, neither addressing the nation directly nor visibly asserting his authority, even as officials negotiate or govern in his name.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Before Sajet stepped down, the Smithsonian released a statement asserting that only its secretary and board can make such decisions, not the president.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of asserting

Verb

During the rehearsal, Pritchard was sometimes brusque with Hamilton, correcting her form with his feet and insisting on certain steps.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Iran has attacked more than 30 ships in the Strait of Hormuz in the last three months, Centcom said, while also insisting that the waterway was open for business.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 July 2026

Definition of insisting

Verb

Vance Boelter, the man charged with killing a Minnesota Democratic lawmaker and her husband last year, was sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years after pleading guilty last month.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026
Vance Boelter was sentenced Thursday to two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years after pleading guilty to stalking and shooting Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota last year.

— Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 23 July 2026