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
Trump contends blue slips are being abused as a tool of partisan obstruction.
—
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Levine Cava contends the helicopter budget has always belonged within the Fire Rescue department, which provides the pilots and maintains the choppers.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Allegations include claims Corpus tried to secure Aenlle a salary between $192,000 and $246,000 despite what the county contends were insufficient qualifications.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Lawyers in Uthmeier’s office, which typically defends state laws, filed a 17-page brief arguing the Supreme Court should take up an appeal by the National Rifle Association that contends the law violates Second Amendment rights.
—Jim Saunders, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Simon now contends the pull of cheaper prices and convenience of having groceries and general merchandise in one place as magnetic.
—Stephanie Landsman, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
Gregory contends nuclear power is a more reliable, cost effective, and environmentally efficient energy source than renewables like wind and solar.
—Big Think, 14 Aug. 2025
The district contends that portions of the STAAR test, or the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, calculated by artificial intelligence resulted in lower scores for students.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2025
Flores also contends his Texans’ interview was a sham.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Levine Cava contends the helicopter budget has always belonged within the Fire Rescue department, which provides the pilots and maintains the choppers.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
Allegations include claims Corpus tried to secure Aenlle a salary between $192,000 and $246,000 despite what the county contends were insufficient qualifications.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025
Lawyers in Uthmeier’s office, which typically defends state laws, filed a 17-page brief arguing the Supreme Court should take up an appeal by the National Rifle Association that contends the law violates Second Amendment rights.
—Jim Saunders, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Simon now contends the pull of cheaper prices and convenience of having groceries and general merchandise in one place as magnetic.
—Stephanie Landsman, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
Gregory contends nuclear power is a more reliable, cost effective, and environmentally efficient energy source than renewables like wind and solar.
—Big Think, 14 Aug. 2025
The district contends that portions of the STAAR test, or the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, calculated by artificial intelligence resulted in lower scores for students.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Aug. 2025
Flores also contends his Texans’ interview was a sham.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends
Verb
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Pacific Coast Harmony also competes against other groups in the region and most recently successfully defended its Eastern Division Chorus title in the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Far Western District.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Many of those carriers have big global networks to serve customers, as well as a basic economy, no-frills product that competes with Spirit and other low-cost airlines.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In this way, its role as a familiar calendar entity argues profoundly for itself, unsinkable and ever-long.—
Jordan Michelman,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
-
And the administration argues the toy companies brought their challenge in the wrong court so it should not be considered at all.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In one of those cases, Morris alleges that Gateway Church is using Clemishire’s allegations to get out of paying him a multi-million dollar retirement package.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Those companies not only halted competition between their own brands, but also began cooperating with each other, the complaint alleges.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even the most qualified professionals hit roadblocks during a job search, Augustine asserts.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The judge's order asserts that Anthropic pirated more than 7 million copies of books.—
Chloe Veltman,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Still, the daughter insists that this is about more than sensitivity.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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If the world insists on constantly comparing two of England’s most beloved millennial redheads, why not lean in?—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to vindicating Harvard’s First Amendment claims, the judge held that the administration had violated Title VI, which prohibits discrimination in higher education based on race and national origin.—
Noah Feldman,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
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About 3,000 Peruvians live there yet Colombia also claims the island.—
John Otis,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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