Synonyms of contends

contends

verb

present tense third-person singular of contend

1

as in competes

to engage in a contest

two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• competes
• races
• fights
• battles
• rivals
• vies
• engages
• plays
• challenges
• faces off
• maneuvers
• jostles
• works
• tries out
• goes out
• jockeys
• trains

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

• argues
• asserts
• reasons
• insists
• pleads
• maintains
• explains
• convinces
• suggests
• justifies
• claims
• mentions
• persuades
• cites
• considers
• proposes
• affirms
• avers
• recommends
• offers
• urges
• adduces
• submits
• discusses
• defends
• advises
• enforces
• advocates
• refutes
• gives
• avows
• espouses
• counsels
• advances
• rationalizes
• supports
• counters
• debates
• rebuts
• disproves
• avouches
• champions
• confutes

3

as in alleges

to state as a fact usually forcefully

contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alleges
• insists
• claims
• asserts
• maintains
• argues
• declares
• affirms
• announces
• proclaims
• avers
• purports
• professes
• protests
• avows
• confirms
• warrants
• defends
• puts forth
• reasons
• rationalizes
• justifies
• avouches
• vindicates
• broadcasts
• reaffirms
• reasserts
• upholds
• perseveres
• supports

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• denies
• rejects
• abandons
• negates
• repudiates
• disclaims
• disavows
• challenges
• refutes
• disputes
• gainsays
• contradicts
• counters
• disproves
• rebuts
• disowns
• questions
• negatives
• confutes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contends

Agarwal, however, contends that the congressman doesn’t fully understand the needs of the Valley’s core industry, which employs a large swath of constituents in the district. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026

Additionally, the suit contends that despite being placed on administrative leave from the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office in September, Fatherley has been allowed to access and use his work email address, violating Wyandotte County’s employee policies. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026

Riedl contends that debt would reach 137% of national income, 17 points higher than the 2036 figure in the agency’s tables. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026

California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin contends these achievements validate conservative management philosophy compared to Democratic governance in major cities. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

The complaint also contends that none of the firefighters who were arrested had their charges announced by city officials via a press release the way Norfleet’s arrest was publicized in statements from the police and fire departments. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026

Altenar contends that Sportradar has violated the Sherman Act by attempting to monopolize via refusal to deal. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Bayer contends federal pesticide laws preempt failure-to-warn claims under state laws, because states cannot require additional labeling. —ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026

Lake contends his goal is to make a connection, regardless of his listeners’ faith. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2026