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 IndustriALL Bangladesh Council, or IBC, contends that the clock began when the existing garment wage took effect in December 2023. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 The author contends the Fed cannot control price shifts stemming from sophisticated global cooperation, new technologies, or supply chain disruptions, making blame for inflation or expectations of quick fixes unrealistic. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Raman contends that Bass’ signature program Inside Safe, which dismantles encampments and moves people living there into motels, hotels and interim housing, is overly expensive and unsustainable. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 The lawsuit filed by the other employee contends the arrest never should have happened. — Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026 Jeanie contends that her siblings don’t have the authority to sell the family’s stake. — Chris Branch, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 The new lawsuit contends Schwapp, a former Bloomfield police captain, has lived in Simsbury during his year and a half as town manager. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026 Relatedly, Wrigley View Rooftop contends there is no legal support for the proposition that the Cubs gain a property right merely because the two businesses might be competing for people willing to pay to watch Cubs games. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Bragg's office contends that the state charges, including murder and firearms offenses, involve different legal elements and criminal conduct than federal charges, which alleged Mangione traveled across state lines to stalk and kill Thompson. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends

Verb

Heavy federal borrowing competes with families and businesses for capital, pushing up the cost of mortgages, car loans and financing.

— Carolyn Bourdeaux, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
The event comes as China expands its robotics industry and competes to establish leadership in humanoid and autonomous machines, with more than 2,000 robots from 16 countries also taking part in the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of competes

Verb

Conversely, another group argues that given the upside risks to inflation, the year-end rate should likely be higher than the current target range.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Dolly Parton stood up for undocumented immigrants when few others would, argues columnist Gustavo Arellano.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of argues

Verb

Raymond’s complaint alleges Miranda continued taking dogs and collecting fees from shelters while killing some of the animals already in his care and, in some cases, falsely reporting that they had been adopted.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Blackbox Multimedia, which has produced series for 5 including The Ex-Wife and Benidorm is Murder, alleges that the network wrongfully terminated a production deal and it is owed money.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleges

Verb

In addition to hurting consumers, Bird asserts that the uncertainty, along with Paramount’s $7 million ticking fee, will pull down an industry that’s just starting to get back on its feet.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Civilizationism asserts that the United States ought to interfere in Europe’s affairs.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of asserts

Verb

Turkey’s government insists its courts are independent as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shrugs off European rulings, a stance that has already fueled a diplomatic clash with Western ambassadors over Kavala’s detention.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The government insists that prisoners are provided with proper medical care and sent to hospital if required.

— Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of insists

Verb

Drinking Buddies is a liquid that claims to contain DHM along with an acetaldehyde-busting amino acid, herbs such as milk thistle, and B vitamins.

— Shayla Love, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Her family claims they were not allowed to visit her without Miller being present, and his behavior during the experience turned them against the two getting married.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026