1
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
3
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
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Recent Examples of contends
The firm contends that slow-moving, lightweight drones offer superior safety, efficiency, and practicality for last-mile deliveries.
—
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
The Next Level Apparel partner also contends that ongoing testing programs are more effective at catching substitution risks as supply chains shift over time, particularly compared with periodic audits or one-time reviews.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
The action contends that the resulting damage to his reputation undermines his chances of reelection.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Duterte has long denied the accusations of human rights abuses and contends that drug issues should be settled by domestic law enforcement.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Later that year in 2024, Eckardt contends Salinas refused to award him the contracts for Coach Prime and Good Sports.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
With his plans to cap his college partners at 30, Davis contends that those that spurned Avo’s advances will eventually come to regret it.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
The Republican contends the selection came down to Democratic supervisors picking a political ally.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
For example, the ADL contends that vilification of Zionism — the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel — is a form of antisemitism, yet some Jews are among the critics of Zionism and of the ADL itself.
—David Crary, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
The Next Level Apparel partner also contends that ongoing testing programs are more effective at catching substitution risks as supply chains shift over time, particularly compared with periodic audits or one-time reviews.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
The action contends that the resulting damage to his reputation undermines his chances of reelection.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Duterte has long denied the accusations of human rights abuses and contends that drug issues should be settled by domestic law enforcement.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Later that year in 2024, Eckardt contends Salinas refused to award him the contracts for Coach Prime and Good Sports.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
With his plans to cap his college partners at 30, Davis contends that those that spurned Avo’s advances will eventually come to regret it.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
The Republican contends the selection came down to Democratic supervisors picking a political ally.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
For example, the ADL contends that vilification of Zionism — the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel — is a form of antisemitism, yet some Jews are among the critics of Zionism and of the ADL itself.
—David Crary, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends
Verb
-
Quilting competes with my writing—there are, after all, only so many hours in a day—but like reading it also complements it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Ryan Rollins was one of the only bright spots from Milwaukee’s season, providing great value as a playmaker and shooter who competes defensively and has a nose for the ball.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit argues that the ordinance is overridden by Missouri’s liquor laws.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
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No one argues that the Honduran with a criminal record shouldn’t have been picked up and sent to the infamous ICE holding facility in Broadview, the western suburb in Cook County, which last fall was the target of numerous protests by anti-immigration demonstrators.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit alleges the couple announced their move to Mansfield in a Facebook post in November 2025.—
Maven Navarro
May 22,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 May 2026
-
Flaws in the prosecution The motion to have the convictions vacated alleges multiple problems with the trial witnesses.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The report released Thursday asserts that reimbursements to the city for personal charges were negligible.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
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Such mishaps arise when an author asserts a statement of fact and asks AI for a citation, Topaz explained.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Even Manny has to hand it to him, but Hartman proves he's matured and insists that saving the day was a team effort.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
-
But Radcliffe insists the pre-show conversations are far from that.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Purpose dissolves into who owns it, who displays it, who claims authority over it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Allowing bad actors to continue to do business while limiting their competition forces consumers, as well as Medicare, to continue to use the very low-quality firms Oz claims to be battling.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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