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
As robots grow more capable and AI more sophisticated, a growing chorus of researchers contends that machines can go further, do more, and take on greater risk – all at a fraction of the cost of keeping a human alive in orbit.
—
Omar Kardoudi
may 29, New Atlas, 29 May 2026
Vena contends the merger would create a stronger alternative to long-haul trucking, removing more than 2 million truckloads from roads annually.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
The lawsuit has also roped in debate over the bureau’s February 2026 policy, which the government contends has replaced earlier guidance issued under an executive order that Lamberth initially enjoined last June.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026
But Norris contends that treating whiskey like collector’s items is missing the point.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
The league contends the dispute should be reviewed in arbitration.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 May 2026
Tori Ballif Gibbons, a San Francisco attorney representing the town council, contends the new lawsuit deals with different legal issues than her client’s previous case.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
Google contends that none of these bypasses actually work.
—Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Gitesatani then walked away and retreated into the crowd, the indictment contends.
—City News Service, Daily News, 18 May 2026
Omar Kardoudi
may 29, New Atlas, 29 May 2026
Vena contends the merger would create a stronger alternative to long-haul trucking, removing more than 2 million truckloads from roads annually.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
The lawsuit has also roped in debate over the bureau’s February 2026 policy, which the government contends has replaced earlier guidance issued under an executive order that Lamberth initially enjoined last June.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026
But Norris contends that treating whiskey like collector’s items is missing the point.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
The league contends the dispute should be reviewed in arbitration.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 May 2026
Tori Ballif Gibbons, a San Francisco attorney representing the town council, contends the new lawsuit deals with different legal issues than her client’s previous case.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
Google contends that none of these bypasses actually work.
—Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Gitesatani then walked away and retreated into the crowd, the indictment contends.
—City News Service, Daily News, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends
Verb
-
The women’s squad competes in the amateur Women’s Premier Soccer League.—
PJ Green
May 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
-
Rest competes with duties as the moody Moon moves through your 12th House of Solitude, opposite inventive Uranus in your 6th House of Work and Well-being.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Flanagan’s campaign argues this year’s will be different because Craig has skipped the convention altogether.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
-
Commentary and opinions The Republican assault on Obamacare has created a healthcare bloodbath, with worse yet to come, argues columnist Michael Hiltzik.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Billy Pope last month, also alleges Sumstad was driving a city vehicle under the influence previously.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
-
The state alleges there were four adults and two children inside the home at the time of the shooting.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Flávio Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing and asserts that Vorcaro’s money was used to produce a movie about his father’s life.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
-
If the legislature exceeded its authority, then the lawsuit asserts that the new map cannot be used.—
David A. Lieb,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Lind insists her parents did not help the casting effort, as the couple had misgivings about their kids following them in the business.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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And then there’s the prim and unfriendly Stagg, who doesn’t play well with others, who insists on having the office to himself, and who refuses to let the affable Krick be a part of his reports to Ike and the rest of the generals.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Europe claims the top 10 spots in a ranking of the world's most walkable cities.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
The company claims the model tops several open-model benchmarks for world generation, robotic action policies, and vision understanding.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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