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 contends that Roper and the Kipps are two among possibly hundreds of patients who have been affected. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026 The administration contends that only federal authorities have jurisdiction over the case. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 De Anda contends that the warrant used to search her property contained false information, Josephson said, including inconsistent descriptions of conditions and grossly inaccurate estimates of the number of animals on the property. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 Paramount contends that the foreign investments do not pose national security, law enforcement, foreign policy or trade policy concerns. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026 The lawsuit contends Hoskins' office illegally intervened in an April municipal election. — Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026 Specifically, Britt contends that Moscowitz and his investigative team allegedly learned that Abdus-Sabur’s brother, Isa Abdus-Sabur, had confessed to being the shooter during multiple videos. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026 Kanter, who also played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz, contends his ticket arrangement wasn’t unusual or worrisome. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2026 Kaepernick contends Roc Nation went as far as trying to plant stories about him in the media. — Michel Martin, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends

Verb

Visual clutter competes for attention and quietly adds to tension and decision fatigue.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
The debate of rebuilding versus shuttering The imperative to close all or portions of campuses potentially competes with the concurrent high priority of providing students with safe, up-to-date, fully resourced and inviting educational environments.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of competes

Verb

From a university or donor’s long-term perspective,Ryan argues, this is only so much value in raising money to subsidize athlete compensation.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
What remained constant, Benítez argues, was his understanding of acting as work.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of argues

Verb

The Justice Department alleges that UCSF’s medical school illegally favored Black and Latino applicants over white and Asian applicants when selecting its incoming classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
The city alleges the nonprofit obtained a state grant through a fraudulent application and failed to properly notify officials or meet community-engagement requirements.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of alleges

Verb

De Paula asserts himself with a confident shake of the head after each pitch outside the strike zone.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Javi Borges, global Americas media and entertainment sector leader for accounting and consulting giant EY, asserts that entertainment companies need to also understand the sea change that is afoot in consumer tastes for leisure-time pursuits.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of asserts

Verb

Remm insists that while his team meticulously plans the guest experience, interpersonal feuds do not factor into the seating chart.

— Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
Despite questions about the UN’s legitimacy and its increasing marginalization, Forti insists that the United Nations still matters.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of insists

Verb

The company claims the system can increase a turbine installation’s power output by up to 50% without burning additional fuel.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
Moore claims she was deprived of a fair hearing and that the arbitrator exceeded permissible authority and disregarded the law.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026