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
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.
Recent Examples of contend
The Prior Lake girls Alpine ski team was back on the state slopes Feb. 13 for a second straight with hopes of contending for a state title.
—
Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The National Rental Home Council, a trade group representing some of the largest companies operating single-family rentals, contends its members play a crucial role amid growing housing demand in a market with ballooning population.
—Teghan Simonton, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
The club put him on waivers last season but no contending clubs bit.
—Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
At the meeting, housing advocates contended that the county‘s waiver proposal would slash too many restrictions, bypassing laws aimed at solving the region’s affordable housing crisis.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contend 
Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The National Rental Home Council, a trade group representing some of the largest companies operating single-family rentals, contends its members play a crucial role amid growing housing demand in a market with ballooning population.
—Teghan Simonton, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
The club put him on waivers last season but no contending clubs bit.
—Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
At the meeting, housing advocates contended that the county‘s waiver proposal would slash too many restrictions, bypassing laws aimed at solving the region’s affordable housing crisis.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
-
Players have also received special invitations to compete in other majors, as is the case with Joaquin Niemann’s upcoming appearance at the Masters on April 10-13.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The Hills alum and influencer Kayla Nicole were the only two of the 16 celebs competing to triumph on Wednesday's third season finale of the Fox show.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
During his speech in Germany, Vance sharply criticized European governance, arguing that the continent faced internal problems and that its commitment to democracy and free speech was struggling.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
-
First, the firm argues that the company’s intrinsic value has been obscured by its inefficient conglomerate structure, resulting in it trading in line with its lowest multiple refining segment despite a majority of EBITDA coming from its other premium businesses.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
After the canopy at Novi Sad railway station collapsed in November, Mr. Vucic initially insisted that the structure had not been part of the renovation work.—
Andrew Higgins,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Stynes has long insisted that the optimal snow conditions must be chased.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The judge also reasoned that Ciulla-Hall has not established a likelihood the NCAA and its member schools violated antitrust law by denying his eligibility.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2025
-
So the team reasoned that Zipf’s law of frequency might appear not just in humans but also anywhere else sequential vocal signals are culturally learned (transmitted from one individual to another).—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The claim alleges Trump was harmed by CBS’ conduct through his role as an owner of the Truth Social platform.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2025
-
The case, filed in federal court in New York City, alleges the Trump administration allowed Musk’s team access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system in violation of federal law.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
An 86-year-old Kansas City man pleaded guilty Friday to a lesser charge in the 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black honor student who rang the white man's doorbell by mistake.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Nearly a year and a half after the shooting, Riley pleaded guilty Friday to murder and kidnapping and will be sentenced to 62 years in the Indiana Department of Correction, according to prosecutors.—
Jake Allen,
The Indianapolis Star,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Industry groups claim the spot doesn't adequately disclose safety risks of these drugs.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
-
By claiming certain material will receive preferential treatment over others, the Trump administration appears to be on the way to attempting to use the NEA as part of its propaganda machine.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The senator asserted that five years after winning World War II, the U.S. was losing around the globe, locked in a struggle with communism that seemed destined to end in nuclear conflict.—
Made by History,
TIME,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Gomez asserted that Carr has also sidestepped protocol by initiating the comment period for CBS and other actions without input from the full commission.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near contend
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share