1
as in arguments
an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate
my contention is that today's lower batting averages are the result of better pitching
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
several actresses seem to be in heated contention for the title of "worst dressed"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contentions
Nowhere is this reconciliation more evident than in the enduring contentions surrounding France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia, also known as Kanak by its native community.
—
Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The main contentions were the state not fully funding public schools according to the state’s funding formula and an additional $10 million to support the Missouri Scholars Program, which can go toward students in private schools.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
The passing of time is the only thing that will reveal the veracity of their contentions and what some of the underlying numbers suggest regarding the quality of their at-bats not being reflected in their production.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
An administration official would make a claim about what happened, and later evidence would find these contentions to be misleading.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
The main contentions were the state not fully funding public schools according to the state’s funding formula and an additional $10 million to support the Missouri Scholars Program, which can go toward students in private schools.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
The passing of time is the only thing that will reveal the veracity of their contentions and what some of the underlying numbers suggest regarding the quality of their at-bats not being reflected in their production.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
An administration official would make a claim about what happened, and later evidence would find these contentions to be misleading.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contentions
Noun
-
During closing arguments before the jury Tuesday, Grossman’s attorney, Esther Holm, echoed that claim.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Beyond arguments for or against new revenue-generating measures, the measure drew skepticism from some arts advocates.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The narrative tracks Maurício (Reymond), a retired player striving to establish a new career as an agent in the aggressive football business while managing industry rivalries, family tensions, and the legacy of his past disappointments.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
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The diary was still treated primarily as evidence of motive, evidence about the boys, their rivalries, their jealousy, their emotional states.—
Kate Casey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Some immigration lawyers don’t buy those assertions, however, after reading the fine print of the memo.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
-
Underneath the topmost layer (a user clicking through a browser), a comprehensive E2E setup involves mocking production endpoints, intercepting network requests, seeding databases, making precise assertions at every layer of the stack and integrating tightly with CI pipelines.—
Ethan Pronev,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Staal’s still elite at winning defensive zone puck battles, which helps tee up Ehlers to play to his strengths and gives the Canes an all-three-zone impact in their minutes that has added up to a 66 percent xG rate.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Calvert shares similar views and has survived an ethics complaint and two previous redistricting battles during his 33 years in Congress.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
There are three primary hypotheses for how birds might sense Earth’s geomagnetic field.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2026
-
If more evidence shows GLP-1 drugs are found to reduce the chance of cancer progressing, the researchers also want to figure out why and have many possible hypotheses at the moment, including the drug changing the immune system, acting directly on tumor cells and reducing inflammation.—
Victoria Forster,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Ohtani was back to a full starter’s workload for the first time since 2023, even mentioning fatigue in his postgame interview after his second start of the season, and before games was working to address his offensive struggles.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Wembanyama finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in the loss but downplayed any worries about the team’s struggles after the game.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The chain of islands has become critical to Japan’s defense in the event of armed conflicts between China and Taiwan.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
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During a Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority meeting in March, that officer, Eric Osnes, said his team now studies footage of assaults on drivers to learn lessons that may mitigate future conflicts.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Multiple reports had been filed against Chow after other confrontations with customers, officials previously said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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The confrontations result in wild, libidinous killing.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contentions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contentions. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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