1
2
as in argues
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 alleges
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 contends
Ryder contends income shouldn’t be the foundation of long-term portfolios.
—
Blair Bao, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2026
The insurance department contends that policyholder complaints are confidential, even for those filing the complaint.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Bayer contends that federal pesticide laws preempt states from adopting additional labeling for products and thus prohibit failure-to-warn lawsuits brought under state laws.
—David A. Lieb, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
Kaiser contends its employees are on average the highest paid among other health care organizations.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Claire O’Callaghan, a senior lecturer in Victorian literature at Loughborough University, contends that’s the whole point.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
The Mitchell Institute additionally contends that the Air Force should ultimately field a bomber fleet of roughly 300 aircraft.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
While the district acknowledges that social media can have educational uses, the lawsuit contends that the platforms' core design choices have blurred the line between learning and addiction, reshaping how students focus, interact, and learn.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The two boys didn’t have permission to be in the pool, but staffers did not remove them even after the assault, the suit contends.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Blair Bao, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2026
The insurance department contends that policyholder complaints are confidential, even for those filing the complaint.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Bayer contends that federal pesticide laws preempt states from adopting additional labeling for products and thus prohibit failure-to-warn lawsuits brought under state laws.
—David A. Lieb, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
Kaiser contends its employees are on average the highest paid among other health care organizations.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Claire O’Callaghan, a senior lecturer in Victorian literature at Loughborough University, contends that’s the whole point.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
The Mitchell Institute additionally contends that the Air Force should ultimately field a bomber fleet of roughly 300 aircraft.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
While the district acknowledges that social media can have educational uses, the lawsuit contends that the platforms' core design choices have blurred the line between learning and addiction, reshaping how students focus, interact, and learn.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The two boys didn’t have permission to be in the pool, but staffers did not remove them even after the assault, the suit contends.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends
Verb
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Pollard heads to the Berlinale as a film he executive produced, The Perfect Neighbor, competes for Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Only one person competes, pushing the sled at the start and piloting down the course at speeds of 70 to 80 mph.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While the talks were aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, Jafarzadeh argues that for the regime, talks would be nothing more than a tactical delay.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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In a recent column, [Broward Health CEO and Memorial Healthcare interim CEO] Shane Strum argues that closer alignment between Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System is necessary to improve access.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Torrez alleges that Meta failed to properly safeguard apps like Instagram and Facebook from online predators and made misleading statements about the overall safety of its platform.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In a complaint filed in April 2025, Mecklenburg County resident Sheikh Omar Tariq alleges that Heider failed to perform a leak test or imaging studies following his May 5, 2022 surgery at what was then Lake Norman Regional Medical Center.—
Amber Gaudet
Updated February 20,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pavia insists his case is about a group boycott of former JUCO players and asserts that case law is on his side.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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In addition, Netflix asserts that retail streaming prices will go down, arguing that consumers see HBO Max as complementary to Netflix’s service, and as such competitors like Amazon’s Prime Video and Disney+/Hulu will be forced to keep pricing in check to fight for market share.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Braves leadership, meanwhile, insists the rotation is good enough to contend.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Byrne and Slim’s score insists that not even death can stop the beat of this democratic spirit.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The union claims the company wants to eliminate more than 100 jobs, cut salaries, and install AI surveillance systems.—
Jacob Sarracino,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The result is that, despite existing household pains owing to more expensive fuel, a resurgent kidnapping crisis that exposes deep security vulnerabilities, and external pressure from a US government that claims Christians are persecuted in Nigeria, Tinubu has expanded his base and looks strong.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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