Synonyms of contends

contends

verb

present tense third-person singular of contend

1

as in competes

to engage in a contest

two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• competes
• races
• fights
• battles
• rivals
• vies
• engages
• plays
• challenges
• faces off
• maneuvers
• jostles
• works
• tries out
• goes out
• jockeys
• trains

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

• argues
• asserts
• reasons
• insists
• pleads
• maintains
• explains
• convinces
• suggests
• justifies
• claims
• mentions
• persuades
• cites
• considers
• proposes
• affirms
• avers
• recommends
• offers
• urges
• adduces
• submits
• discusses
• defends
• advises
• enforces
• advocates
• refutes
• gives
• avows
• espouses
• counsels
• advances
• rationalizes
• supports
• counters
• debates
• rebuts
• disproves
• avouches
• champions
• confutes

3

as in alleges

to state as a fact usually forcefully

contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alleges
• insists
• claims
• asserts
• maintains
• argues
• declares
• affirms
• announces
• proclaims
• avers
• purports
• professes
• protests
• avows
• confirms
• warrants
• defends
• puts forth
• reasons
• rationalizes
• justifies
• avouches
• vindicates
• broadcasts
• reaffirms
• reasserts
• upholds
• perseveres
• supports

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• denies
• rejects
• abandons
• negates
• repudiates
• disclaims
• disavows
• challenges
• refutes
• disputes
• gainsays
• contradicts
• counters
• disproves
• rebuts
• disowns
• questions
• negatives
• confutes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contends

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

McNulty contends that the technology allows authorities to collect and track location information without sufficient legal protections. — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 7 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

The lawsuit contends that the requirement was inconsistently applied and was used to exclude Dougan because of his disclosures. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026