1
as in addresses
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
a multitude of problems to contend with as soon as he returned to the office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposes
to strive to reduce or eliminate
medical missionaries who daily contend with disease and poverty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends (with)
Verb
-
Several residents at the City Council meeting spoke in support of the program, including Steve Burrell, a community volunteer who often addresses the council on issues related to senior citizens and the unsheltered.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026 -
Critics of California’s voter ID initiative, including many legal scholars, say the ballot measure addresses a problem that does not exist.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
But Spielberg also opposes using AI to replace writers, directors, or producers essential to core artistic decision-making.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
-
By midday, the Moon opposes unpredictable Uranus in curious Gemini, so big-picture hopes can contrast with fast facts, shifting plans, or surprise updates.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Shange’s rainbow assemblage manages to be confrontational and conciliatory through a confessional accumulation that collapses poetry, movement, and ritual into a single and ever-changing event.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
One student, a behavioral neuroscience major, manages two jobs while pursuing a full course load.—
Marvin Krislov,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The welcome is relaxed and warm while the flamboyant decor fights to charm you.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
An Army official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said soldiers who were fans of UFC fights and who meet Army standards were given a preference, which the official said is standard practice for such events.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Blue Water Bistro, nearer the sand, handles relaxed lunches and dinners with dishes such as lobster tail burger and seafood claypot.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
As Petruschin focuses on the show’s host, head makeup artist Natasha Marcelina handles the show’s roster of guests.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Saturday’s blaze comes as the city combats a massive increase in fatal fires this year.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
-
Avoiding posts on social media is the way DePaul student Loughman combats her health anxiety.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The Rams star quarterback manipulates opposing players with his eyes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Williams acknowledges that there are fears about dubbing fixes being the thin end of a wedge that could lead to actors being replaced, even if Flawless’ AI only manipulates the face from the nose down.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
RedSpeed counters that nine in 10 drivers who get a violation don’t get a second one, calling it proof the cameras work.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
-
In a speech that counters key arguments from new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, Musalem also expressed skepticism about comparisons to the 1995 Fed under then-Chair Alan Greenspan.—
Sarah Min,Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Contends (with).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends%20%28with%29. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
