1
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
3
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
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Recent Examples of contends
The company contends that since US regulators didn’t require a cancer warning, federal law bars those types of suits.
—
Jef Feeley, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
Abbott contends the policy weakens statewide coordination with federal authorities.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
LivaNova, which manufactured the device, denies fault and contends KU Med staff failed to disinfect the units according to company instructions.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
The piece contends that mainstream news outlets maintain legitimate standards requiring verification of allegations before publication, distinguishing serious journalism from gossip trafficking by political rivals.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Bluevale, which has offices in New Haven and Toronto, contends the change would benefit Windsor.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026
But PowerLines also contends that utilities can and should do more to utilize the existing capacity of the power grid.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Agarwal, however, contends that the congressman doesn’t fully understand the needs of the Valley’s core industry, which employs a large swath of constituents in the district.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
The complaint contends that Schultz and So violated securities laws, and even indicated their efforts to skirt those laws on the Spaces call.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Jef Feeley, Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
Abbott contends the policy weakens statewide coordination with federal authorities.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
LivaNova, which manufactured the device, denies fault and contends KU Med staff failed to disinfect the units according to company instructions.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
The piece contends that mainstream news outlets maintain legitimate standards requiring verification of allegations before publication, distinguishing serious journalism from gossip trafficking by political rivals.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Bluevale, which has offices in New Haven and Toronto, contends the change would benefit Windsor.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026
But PowerLines also contends that utilities can and should do more to utilize the existing capacity of the power grid.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Agarwal, however, contends that the congressman doesn’t fully understand the needs of the Valley’s core industry, which employs a large swath of constituents in the district.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
The complaint contends that Schultz and So violated securities laws, and even indicated their efforts to skirt those laws on the Spaces call.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends
Verb
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Lukas Prock, a former Wellesley standout quarterback, now competes for The Hun School in New Jersey.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
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This is the energy that initiates, competes and takes up space without apology.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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More than 250 security leaders helped shape the briefing, which argues the challenge is no longer just finding flaws, but deciding which ones actually pose real risk – and fixing them before they can be turned into working exploits.—
Stefanie Schappert,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
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The mega-corporation (owned by Amazon), as Tolentino argues, budgets for this kind of light shoplifting anyway.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Around 2021, the indictment alleges, Meade began conspiring with West to structure various financial transactions in an effort to obstruct the IRS from assessing and collecting Meade’s federal tax obligation.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
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Drugs allegedly supplied by staff The lawsuit further alleges a probation officer, Michael Solis, and a teacher, Alejandro Lopez, supplied the drugs that killed the teen.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Pricing information, the FTC asserts, was not as transparent.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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Reeves — actually the nicest man in show business — is a recessive passenger whose metatextual casting offers a convenient smokescreen for Hill to unleash his id, and Ira quickly asserts himself as the movie’s dominant force.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The author insists there was no bigger fan of the Jackson children and the Jackson 5 than Joseph, whose main goal in forming the group in the first place was to protect them.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
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But Grindr insists this isn’t going to be a gay rave.—
Tara Palmeri,
Vanity Fair,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The department claims that forty-seven cents of every federal dollar given to states is wasted on regulatory compliance, and Burke and McMahon plan to release more federal money as direct block grants to states, rather than filtering it through Ed.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Restitution claims frequently ignite extensive legal battles.—
Jackie Hajdenberg,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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