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 The union contends that University of Illinois workers were given 2% raises in August but the advanced practice providers were not. — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026 Hanson contends that if passed, many renters won't need to ever invoke the policy. — Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 29 Oct. 2026 The latter contends that on July 2 Van Gogh sent Theo a drawing based on the painting and that because of his breakdown on July 22, he was rendered unable to paint. — News Desk, Artforum, 26 Oct. 2026 The lawsuit in District Court for the District of Columbia contends that the federal government failed to comply with numerous statutes. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends

Verb

Combining Instacart and DoorDash would create a larger company that better competes with those rivals.

— Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Alabama State, located in Montgomery, Alabama, competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of competes

Verb

Founding Freedoms Law Center, which launched the challenge in April, argues that lawmakers failed to follow required procedures and that the ballot language is misleading.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
The lawsuit argues the change violates the Administrative Procedure Act because it was adopted without explanation and the First Amendment, which protects lawyers' ability to advise people of their legal rights and seek prospective clients.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of argues

Verb

The court filing alleges that social media users believed that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders actually made appearances at the My Chemical Romance concert, and that the circulation of videos was not accidental.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026
The left-wing Twitch streamer alleges that Jennings, a conservative podcaster, falsely said Piker had advocated for lynchings.

— Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of alleges

Verb

There’s the perspective of Pro Football Focus, which asserts Marshall has been as bad as any NFL cornerback could possibly be but appears to be basing that partly on incorrect data.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Only his vote can hasten the abolition of slavery who asserts his own freedom by his vote.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of asserts

Verb

Instead, this memo claims, sending people to live in institutions—away from their families, friends, and beds—is an acceptable option.

— Rebekah Taussig, Time, 28 Oct. 2026
MontPIRG claims the change to Montana's residency rule could force thousands of students to lose the ability to have a say at the ballot box about how their communities are run.

— Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026