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
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
Head coach Mike Vrabel’s team is balanced, explosive and led by quarterback Drake Maye, a 2024 NFL Draft classmate of Nix’s who authored an MVP-contending season.
—
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Each of them went to court, contending that their respective state laws violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution and federal statutes barring discrimination against women in sports.
—Gwen Faulkenberry, Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026
All offseason, Chris Young has maintained the Rangers are a contending team.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 22 Jan. 2026
Nic Claxton is also a productive center who could be attractive to contending teams.
—Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
But that archetype is something every contending team is looking for.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Bryant told the Herald that Maye has evolved his game since then, connecting the MVP-contending QB’s growth to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
Federal officials said the FBI would handle the inquiry, contending that Minnesota authorities have no jurisdiction in the matter.
—Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
The Blackhawks didn’t retain any salary in the deal but the playoff-contending Sharks still cleared up close to $3 million in cap space to help accommodate any possible additions via trade later this season.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Each of them went to court, contending that their respective state laws violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution and federal statutes barring discrimination against women in sports.
—Gwen Faulkenberry, Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026
All offseason, Chris Young has maintained the Rangers are a contending team.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 22 Jan. 2026
Nic Claxton is also a productive center who could be attractive to contending teams.
—Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
But that archetype is something every contending team is looking for.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Bryant told the Herald that Maye has evolved his game since then, connecting the MVP-contending QB’s growth to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
Federal officials said the FBI would handle the inquiry, contending that Minnesota authorities have no jurisdiction in the matter.
—Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
The Blackhawks didn’t retain any salary in the deal but the playoff-contending Sharks still cleared up close to $3 million in cap space to help accommodate any possible additions via trade later this season.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contending
Verb
-
Sometimes this takes the form of competing in different heats in the same final where the best run counts, such as with freeski events.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Yet there’s also an avalanche of more urgent issues competing for officials’ attention, like federal agents’ killing of a US citizen on Saturday.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The truck driver was convicted of vehicular manslaughter, but the Cobles’ wrongful-death lawsuit against Caltrans, arguing that faulty freeway design led to the backup their car was in when the big rig came around the bend, was lost in a jury trial.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Prominent leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have come to the church's defense, arguing that compassion for migrant families affected by the crackdown cannot justify violating a sacred space during worship.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There was that conservative influencer who went out and posted this video that went viral, alleging that day care facilities were pocketing public funds.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
In November 2020, Feeding Our Future sued the Minnesota Department of Education, alleging that the state was slow-walking its grant applications.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals threw out the conviction, reasoning that while Abernethy broke NCAA rules, his conduct didn’t constitute a crime.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
This teaches Claude to handle similar requests in real time, not by rigidly blocking but by reasoning through the conflict.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
How heartbreaking, and how vile, that any adult claiming compassion would seek to imbue a child with that extreme allergy to their own self.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
-
This positions you as someone who understands their space without claiming to have all the answers.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has repeatedly defended the use of troops, asserting that cities with a Guard presence have become safer.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2026
-
That early scene, at first, seems typical of two young male friends asserting their masculinity in a juvenile manner.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This happens often enough when one administration succeeds another, to be sure, with the new team insisting that its predecessors were idiots, but the Hegseth Pentagon carries such insults to a new level.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Sources, though, told the newspaper that talks have stalled, with Afghan officials insisting that the Americans release Muhammad Rahim, the last Afghan inmate held at Guantánamo Bay, in any deal.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ben Affleck doesn’t appear to have answered Blake Lively’s now-viral email pleading for help amid her ongoing drama with Justin Baldoni.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
His attorneys asked the judge to find balance in sentencing, arguing Geer took responsibility by pleading guilty to the most serious charges.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contending. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
