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

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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 Bar-Zemer contends that safety features could be installed to make sure pedestrians have enough time to exit the pathway if water rises swiftly. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 However, the author contends this limitation is insufficient, recalling the severe economic impact of prior Trump tariffs on major trading partners. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 The group contends the reinterpretation runs counter to Congress’s intent, costs taxpayers money, and could ultimately benefit other companies — including Novo Nordisk and potentially Eli Lilly — if more drugs are later reclassified as biologics. — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026 Wyden’s white paper contends that the new tax burden will not stop data center development or put at risk the United States’s being the global leader in AI and related technologies. — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026 The company contends that its plan would create a lot less new traffic than a typical subdivision, and would be better environmentally. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026 Concerns about market share are not the main driver of antitrust lawsuits filed by 12 state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America, Ellison contends. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026 El-Sayed's side contends outsider candidates, particularly those with a populist vision to sell to voters, generate more enthusiasm. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 The Star contends that the city did not respond to the newspaper’s records request. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends

Verb

The club also regularly competes for top talent transferring into the league, and prioritizes spending money on the roster.

— John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Woods, who competes using her maiden name Sophie Amy Grant, set off on July 4 in Trieste, Italy, and finished on the Mediterranean coast of Monaco.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of competes

Verb

San Jose argues there's no reasonable expectation of privacy on public roads, pointing to a California appeals court decision that allowed police to access traffic camera footage of a murder suspect without a warrant.

— Maddie White, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
In a new paper, Zahavy argues that current large language models (LLMs) may be unable to make original discoveries on their own.

— Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of argues

Verb

The complaint alleges that the woman picked up her son from her business in Mankato after receiving calls from him in the hours following the shooting.

— WCCO Staff, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
The lawsuit alleges both officers violated department policy by using deadly force against a person who did not present an imminent threat of serious physical injury or death.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleges

Verb

The filing puts his value at some $600 million in assets and business interests at the time of his death, and asserts that Tracey is looking for her rightful share.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Hirsch asserts Turnout has helped more than 10,000 people with Social Security disability claims alone.

— Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of asserts

Verb

Harvey, whose own foundation went 17 years without winning a single grant, argues AI can cut the paperwork burden — but insists human judgment and relationships stay irreplaceable.

— Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Instead of budgeting for $1,800 in tissues, the school insists on agitating parents all summer over crap like this.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of insists

Verb

And while a white couch can be very high-risk, Castlery claims that the Performance fabric is spill-resistant.

— Susie Plotkin, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026
The resolution further claims that the university’s staffing cuts were also tied to overall enrollment declines, while the law school’s enrollment is increasing.

— Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026