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
Ideas expressed in the piece The article argues that the glee over Tom Steyer’s loss in the California governor’s race reflects a broader, understandable anger at extreme wealth in an era of serf‑lord–level inequality, but contends that this anger is being misdirected at the wrong billionaire.
—
Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Müller contends that support for the referendum is motivated less by xenophobia than people’s concern that the population is growing at an uncontrolled rate.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Environmental activist group Save RGV (for Rio Grande Valley) contends the company's rocket launches have left nearby homes covered in debris, disrupted native wildlife and harmed air quality.
—Maya Blackstone, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Newsom also contends that he was first notified of two of the donations after the filing deadline had already passed, according to the decision.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
The suit contends the race ended when Grossman’s vehicle struck brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, ages 11 and 8, in a crosswalk at about 80 mph in a 45 mph zone.
—City News Service, Daily News, 10 June 2026
The government contends that because people are free NOT to give their location data to their tech provider, the data that the tech company does have must be turned over to police pursuant to a warrant.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 June 2026
The brief contends that the court, which halted the fund temporarily in May, should uphold its block.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 4 June 2026
The other contends that appointments leave judges beholden to politicians, and says voters should have a voice.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Müller contends that support for the referendum is motivated less by xenophobia than people’s concern that the population is growing at an uncontrolled rate.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Environmental activist group Save RGV (for Rio Grande Valley) contends the company's rocket launches have left nearby homes covered in debris, disrupted native wildlife and harmed air quality.
—Maya Blackstone, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Newsom also contends that he was first notified of two of the donations after the filing deadline had already passed, according to the decision.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
The suit contends the race ended when Grossman’s vehicle struck brothers Mark and Jacob Iskander, ages 11 and 8, in a crosswalk at about 80 mph in a 45 mph zone.
—City News Service, Daily News, 10 June 2026
The government contends that because people are free NOT to give their location data to their tech provider, the data that the tech company does have must be turned over to police pursuant to a warrant.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 June 2026
The brief contends that the court, which halted the fund temporarily in May, should uphold its block.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 4 June 2026
The other contends that appointments leave judges beholden to politicians, and says voters should have a voice.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends
Verb
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There’s no denying that the Sym TTLBT competes in the premium maxi-scooter segment against the likes of the Kymco AK 550i, Yamaha TMax, and the Honda Forza 750.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 13,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
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The Speed Twin 1200 competes most naturally with bikes like the Kawasaki Z900RS, Yamaha XSR900, BMW R 12 nineT and Moto Guzzi V7.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The inventory risk is real, but oil bulls are giving the problem too much weight, Dwivedi argues.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
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Artist Included argues that the same technology can be pointed backward, to right an industry’s old wrongs and return ownership and income to artists never built into the deal.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The suit alleges the group, known widely as WPATH, made deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors and its members profited off the claims.—
Devi Shastri,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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The lawsuit, filed June 10 in Rockdale County Superior Court, alleges the company failed to provide timely hazard information, leaving first responders and neighbors unprotected.—
Brandon Knapp,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The Big 12’s overarching thesis is that Texas Tech shouldn’t be able to play an athlete who has admitted to betting on his own team and who, the conference asserts, has placed thousands of bets on college and pro sports either directly or through an intermediary from 2022 to 2026.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
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In his nonfiction exploration, Kershenbaum asserts that our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth provides a solid scaffolding for projecting what alien organisms might really be like.—
Alexandra Oliva,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Disillusionment aside, what’s the point of a Robin Hood who insists on standing for nothing?—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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However, Sanders insists that his legislation transfers a fair amount of wealth while critically ensuring that AI benefits humanity.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The suit claims Banks was prepared for a fair comeuppance, but ultimately the former supermodel felt hoodwinked.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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The account may remain frozen temporarily A bank generally won't immediately reverse a freeze simply because the account holder claims a mistake was made.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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