Synonyms of contending

contending

verb

present participle of contend

1

as in competing

to engage in a contest

two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• competing
• fighting
• battling
• racing
• vying
• rivaling
• playing
• facing off
• challenging
• engaging
• maneuvering
• jockeying
• jostling
• trying out
• going out
• working
• training

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

• arguing
• reasoning
• asserting
• pleading
• maintaining
• insisting
• claiming
• convincing
• justifying
• explaining
• mentioning
• suggesting
• persuading
• considering
• citing
• defending
• proposing
• affirming
• urging
• submitting
• advocating
• offering
• discussing
• enforcing
• adducing
• recommending
• advancing
• advising
• countering
• debating
• giving
• rationalizing
• refuting
• supporting
• averring
• avowing
• championing
• espousing
• counseling
• avouching
• disproving
• rebutting
• confuting

3

as in alleging

to state as a fact usually forcefully

contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alleging
• claiming
• insisting
• asserting
• maintaining
• declaring
• arguing
• protesting
• announcing
• affirming
• proclaiming
• purporting
• professing
• averring
• defending
• warranting
• reasoning
• avowing
• confirming
• putting forth
• justifying
• avouching
• rationalizing
• broadcasting
• vindicating
• upholding
• persevering
• reasserting
• reaffirming
• supporting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• denying
• abandoning
• rejecting
• challenging
• disputing
• repudiating
• negating
• questioning
• disclaiming
• disavowing
• refuting
• countering
• gainsaying
• disproving
• rebutting
• contradicting
• disowning
• negativing
• confuting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contending

Set in Queens in 1986, the family drama stars Teller (contending for Best Actor) as the hardworking, decent father of two boys. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2026

But this is Mahomes, Kelce, Jones and coach Andy Reid coming to town with three Super Bowls under their belt and a determination to return to contending form early this season after going 6-11 last year. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

This year, with The Odyssey and Project Hail Mary representing the majority of Oscar-contending performances already in the mix, space is wide open for new contenders to catch fire during festival season and blaze all the way to the Oscars in March. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

The Oscar-contending documentary Once Upon a Time in Harlem, directed by David Greaves from footage shot by his late father, William Greaves, has earned the eighth annual Library Of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026

Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey A pregnant Kaley Cuoco picks the perfect pink gown to showcase her baby bump alongside fiancé Tom Pelphrey, who is contending for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026

Not a contending roster by any means, but a worthy NBA League Pass team. — Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Grossman said one employee got her charges dismissed after contending in a lawsuit that her 4th Amendment rights were violated. — Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Grossman said one employee got her charges dismissed after contending in a lawsuit that her Fourth Amendment rights were violated. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026