CONTENDS Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

contends

verb

present tense third-person singular of contend

as in competes

to engage in a contest two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

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 contends Relatedly, Wrigley View Rooftop contends there is no legal support for the proposition that the Cubs gain a property right merely because the two businesses might be competing for people willing to pay to watch Cubs games. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Bragg's office contends that the state charges, including murder and firearms offenses, involve different legal elements and criminal conduct than federal charges, which alleged Mangione traveled across state lines to stalk and kill Thompson. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026 As such, the casino company contends hitting the brakes on the hotel and nongaming construction is covered by the host agreement that the city itself may be violating with the potential imminent launch of VGTs. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 Bar-Zemer contends that safety features could be installed to make sure pedestrians have enough time to exit the pathway if water rises swiftly. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 However, the author contends this limitation is insufficient, recalling the severe economic impact of prior Trump tariffs on major trading partners. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 The group contends the reinterpretation runs counter to Congress’s intent, costs taxpayers money, and could ultimately benefit other companies — including Novo Nordisk and potentially Eli Lilly — if more drugs are later reclassified as biologics. — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026 Wyden’s white paper contends that the new tax burden will not stop data center development or put at risk the United States’s being the global leader in AI and related technologies. — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026 The company contends that its plan would create a lot less new traffic than a typical subdivision, and would be better environmentally. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends

Verb

Amazon is also continuing to invest in its warehouses, smaller fulfillment centers closer to customers and its fleet of trucks as the company competes to deliver packages within minutes or hours instead of just days.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Čihař competes hard, engages in physical play and gets to the net to create offense in a way that should translate to higher levels.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of competes

Verb

Crump argues that the punch itself is not in dispute, citing an incident report written by Arellano which describes the punch.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
Conventional time-management advice, Schore argues, focuses almost exclusively on visible behaviors—meetings, email volume, scheduling techniques and collaboration practices.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of argues

Verb

The state alleges OpenAI's rapid success stems from deceit and exploitation, causing widespread harm to Floridians and subverting public order.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
The complaint alleges the man then pushed the gun against another officer's torso and tried to pull the trigger, but the gun did not fire.

— Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleges

Verb

Taiwan’s government asserts the island’s de facto sovereignty, and the Taiwanese public overwhelmingly prefers to maintain the status quo of autonomy from China.

— Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026
The filing puts his value at some $600 million in assets and business interests at the time of his death, and asserts that Tracey is looking for her rightful share.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of asserts

Verb

And alumni are among the college’s best ambassadors for spreading that message, insists Emma Donatille, executive director of the WCC Foundation that has handed out nearly $440,000 in scholarships over the years.

— Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
The comments by Akishino, the next in line for the throne, come just weeks after a historic revision to the Imperial House Law by the conservative government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that insists only paternal-lineage men can become emperor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of insists

Verb

Legal experts dispute Abbott’s claims that the ritual washing stations are discriminatory, with some saying his attack fits a pattern of anti-Muslim actions and rhetoric.

— Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
Kylese Perryman claims his rights were violated, saying investigators carelessly and incorrectly identified him as the man responsible for a violent felony.

— Ubah Ali, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026