1
2
as in to argue
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 to insist
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 contend
Leaders of the Government Affairs Department disagreed with that characterization in a lengthy response to the audit, contending staffers in other departments are not confused about their roles and haven’t been pressured.
—
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
The lawyers contend that Trump had the authority to conduct the flights as the commander-in-chief of the military and the country's head of foreign affairs.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Both of those are hard to contend for with Betts on the baseline.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Now, the Trump administration contends the law also violates parents’ rights to access to information about their children and makes changes to their child’s school records under the privacy act, the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office said.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
The lawyers contend that Trump had the authority to conduct the flights as the commander-in-chief of the military and the country's head of foreign affairs.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Both of those are hard to contend for with Betts on the baseline.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Now, the Trump administration contends the law also violates parents’ rights to access to information about their children and makes changes to their child’s school records under the privacy act, the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office said.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
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This marks the show’s first time competing in the full-length variety talk category after previously entering in short form fields.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2025
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Antitrust claims concern agreements by NCAA member schools and conferences to restrain how each individually competes for, and compensates, athletes.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Now, perhaps swayed by Trump’s popular vote victory – the first for a Republican candidate in 20 years – many US conservatives appear to have changed their position, arguing the US is more a democracy than a republic.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
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Anne argues that Tarantino is passing the project on to Fincher in order to avoid making the film his supposed 10th, and likely won’t force Netflix’s hand into giving the film a more plum theatrical window.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The government insisted there was no evidence that the AP had been harmed irreparably.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Mar. 2025
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The Dutchman was constantly shoehorned into an attacking midfield role that doesn’t bring out his best characteristics, yet Motta insisted on deploying him there.—
Emmet Gates,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, the researchers reasoned that the wasp likely did not intend to kill with the bizarre grasping structure.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2025
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Some of the judges have agreed with the players, reasoning that in the modern world of college sports, college athletes are economic actors whose chance to play—and be paid—is within the realm of antitrust law.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, during their meeting, Saldívar delayed handing over the papers, alleging she had been raped the night before, per USA Today.—
Kelsie Gibson,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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The Trump administration alleges that Maduro and Cabello are not only complicit in its rise but actively control it through the Soles drug cartel, using the gang as a deadly enforcement squad.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In court: Diddy pleads not guilty again, shocks with new look The graying music mogul appeared in court during the conference in front of U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian at Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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Combs is currently behind bars at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center and has pled not guilty to all five charges.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Coming up, the vice president left the scandal in D.C. behind this week, traveling to Greenland, the Arctic territory Donald Trump would like to claim.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2025
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The 20-year-old skater, who was born in Fairfax, Va., landed a quadruple Axel and five other quadruple jumps to claim the men's title by a commanding margin.—
Lawrence Yee,
People.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Plaintiffs’ counsel offered a brief rationale in their motion to approve the deal, asserting that the CFP is an affiliated entity of the defendants, which include the NCAA and the quintet of athletic conferences formerly known as the Power Five.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Indeed, numerous Israeli political leaders express sympathy for Palestinians and assert that Israelis can only be secure when Palestinians are free.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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