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 Attorney Barry Pollack contends that Maduro remained Venezuela’s head of state regardless of whether the United States considered his presidency legitimate. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 Beyond senior leadership changes, Jung contends that Phillips should position itself as a cultural club rather than just a salesroom to keep momentum and not to always rely on internal star players. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The disclosure contends that, because of the new procedures, a single scanning error in a batch of tens of thousands of ballot envelopes could prevent any from reaching voters. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 In this case, courts have considered other factors, such as low barriers to entry, Paramount contends. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 Summary This article contends that inflation management is not, and never has been, the Federal Reserve's core responsibility. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The company contends its plan serves the town, the residential marketplace and the interest of historic preservation. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026 To support these demands, Jeanie Buss contends the California Probate Code authorizes a trustee to seek instructions from a court to resolve internal disagreements about a trust. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, their sister Jeanie contends that her siblings do not have the legal authority to give up ownership and is opposing the sale, which would result in Jeanie Buss losing her position as governor of the Lakers. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends

Verb

Amongst the crowd was Lee Brockhouse, 48, who also competes in amateur strongman events with a personal best of 455kg in the deadlift.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The 2026 Honda Pilot competes against rivals like the Toyota Grand Highlander and Kia Telluride.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of competes

Verb

His widow, Yaraisi Santiso Morejon alleges that negligence contributed to her husband’s death and that the incident was avoidable.

— Vinod Sreeharsha September 9, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026
The complaint alleges a background check and employment verification would have exposed those issues.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of alleges

Verb

The report asserts flatly that Zucker wasn’t truthful and danced around the same accusation regarding Ballmer.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Although the makeup of the New England power grid changed substantially over a quarter century, the report asserts that fossil fuel remains the principal source of generation.

— Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of asserts

Verb

Israel insists this is allowed under the latest ceasefire agreement.

— Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
But that sympathy can’t quite make up for the galling fact of Nelson’s sons, now teenagers stuck in limbo as a father figure stubbornly insists on courting further ruin.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026