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 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 Concerns about market share are not the main driver of antitrust lawsuits filed by 12 state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America, Ellison contends. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026 El-Sayed's side contends outsider candidates, particularly those with a populist vision to sell to voters, generate more enthusiasm. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 The Star contends that the city did not respond to the newspaper’s records request. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends

Verb

And this week, the two-time world silver medalist competes at the European Championships in Birmingham, England, hoping to do something else his father never achieved — retain his European title.

— Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
But North Star still collects fees and competes in a broader IRB marketplace.

— Angus Chen, STAT, 11 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 lawsuit, led by City Attorney Ryan Richardson, also alleges pest infestations, security problems, and unrepaired fire, water, and structural damage inside the 98-unit building.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office alleges Hilliard stole $9,510 while working as the administrator of Colorado’s Nike Elite program from 2021 to 2025.

— Matt Moret, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleges

Verb

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
Hirsch asserts Turnout has helped more than 10,000 people with Social Security disability claims alone.

— Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 6 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

The filing, obtained by Rolling Stone, claims Jones took footage Combs was shooting for his own documentary.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Taiwan is no stranger to cyberattacks, particularly from neighboring China, which claims the East Asian democracy as its own and has vowed to annex it, by force if necessary.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026