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

Relevance

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 The lawsuit in District Court for the District of Columbia contends that the federal government failed to comply with numerous statutes. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Mazzio's attorney said the two men are longtime friends and contends their actions were legal. — Alice Gainer, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Some of the roughly 18 locations were chosen, Hale contends, because the city failed to respond to numerous 311 calls for improvement. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 But Uthmeier contends an overly broad reading of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause has been twisted into a tool to suppress Christians and other believers. — Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 The White House contends that the new proposal would give banks more flexibility under the law and drive greater economic development. — Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 On the other hand, the fossil fuel industry contends the legislation would prevent states and environmental groups from weaponizing courts to stop projects for reasons beyond what is written in federal statutes. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 Her parents' lawsuit contends the military did not sign off on the work; the soldiers were freelancing as security guards to make some extra money on the side. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026 Pike’s team contends the execution team struggled to establish IV access, using at least seven needles before administering two lethal doses of pentobarbital. — Greg Wehner , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends

Verb

Making friends, maintaining healthy relationships and working through conflicts requires practice, and some of that practice time now competes with communication mediated by screens.

— Roxanne Prichard, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
The software maker competes with major rivals such as Google and Amazon for customers and has an AI-powered assistant called Copilot.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of competes

Verb

The bigger issue, Chesky argues, is a shortage of new construction.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The union argues that income limits topping $500,000 in parts of the state make it more a tax break for the wealthy than an education program.

— Lara Murray-Sterzel, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of argues

Verb

The court filing alleges that social media users believed that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders actually made appearances at the My Chemical Romance concert, and that the circulation of videos was not accidental.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026
The left-wing Twitch streamer alleges that Jennings, a conservative podcaster, falsely said Piker had advocated for lynchings.

— Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of alleges

Verb

The complaint asserts defamation and, as an alternative, a violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
The filing asserts that the site, which has since been taken down, discussed her past personal relationships, including a divorce from David Ronson (sibling of DJ Mark Ronson and fashion designer Charlotte Ronson).

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of asserts

Verb

The administration insists its strategy of inflicting economic pain is working.

— Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
But Jessica insists that Elizabeth doesn’t know the specific brand of hot dogs and buns she’s already acquired, which means that if, for instance, Elizabeth brought Hawaiian buns and chicken sausages, there would be an inconsistency.

— Jennifer Kim, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of insists

Verb

Instead, this memo claims, sending people to live in institutions—away from their families, friends, and beds—is an acceptable option.

— Rebekah Taussig, Time, 28 Oct. 2026
MontPIRG claims the change to Montana's residency rule could force thousands of students to lose the ability to have a say at the ballot box about how their communities are run.

— Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026