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

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

Thursday’s lawsuit contends that the administration simply made the change on its own without giving proper notice. — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 2 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

Carey, the family attorney, contends ASU coaches didn’t follow university guidelines regarding heat safety. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Faxon contends that the documents were necessary to argue against the state’s effort to dismiss the claim. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026

More than that, a recent proof posted by mathematicians contends that OpenAI’s solution can never lead to solving the full problem. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 Sep. 2026

Garzón contends that his client wasn’t even in Massachusetts when the protest took place, but was in Atlanta, Georgia. — Muhammad Darwish, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026