1
as in competing
to engage in a contest
two traditional rivals contending for the championship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in arguing
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 alleging
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 contending
Many of his peers and former rivals have long since retired, burned out by the task of recruiting and coaching while also raising funds from boosters in order to build title-contending rosters.
—
Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
An Ohio congresswoman is asking a judge to issue an order to take Donald Trump‘s name off the Kennedy Center, contending that the board of the arts institution violated the law in that only Congress can make such a change.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
The Miami Marlins find themselves in a familiar limbo of either contending for the postseason or heading into another rebuilding year.
—Takashi Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The Carolina Panthers had the kind of free agency that could impact their contending chances in 2026 and beyond.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
That 72-52 victory boosted beliefs internally and externally that the Bruins were capable of contending.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
The Stars looked sloppy Sunday on the second night of a back-to-back against two contending teams.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
For a Wild Card team that returns almost its entire defense, save for coordinator Jesse Minter, the Bolts have done enough to put themselves back in the contending conversation this offseason.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
Musk’s lawyers motioned for a mistrial several times during the contentious trial, contending that the billionaire Tesla CEO can’t get a fair trial in San Francisco because of animosity toward him from the public.
—Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
An Ohio congresswoman is asking a judge to issue an order to take Donald Trump‘s name off the Kennedy Center, contending that the board of the arts institution violated the law in that only Congress can make such a change.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
The Miami Marlins find themselves in a familiar limbo of either contending for the postseason or heading into another rebuilding year.
—Takashi Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The Carolina Panthers had the kind of free agency that could impact their contending chances in 2026 and beyond.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
That 72-52 victory boosted beliefs internally and externally that the Bruins were capable of contending.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
The Stars looked sloppy Sunday on the second night of a back-to-back against two contending teams.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
For a Wild Card team that returns almost its entire defense, save for coordinator Jesse Minter, the Bolts have done enough to put themselves back in the contending conversation this offseason.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
Musk’s lawyers motioned for a mistrial several times during the contentious trial, contending that the billionaire Tesla CEO can’t get a fair trial in San Francisco because of animosity toward him from the public.
—Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contending
Verb
-
The legislation, the latest in a long effort by some lawmakers of both parties to rein in the price of insulin, faces many hurdles, including concerns about the cost and other competing congressional priorities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Our guys were locked in and competing.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to the judge’s order, Homeland Security is arguing that the legal basis of the deportations stems from a Biden-era agreement in which Mexico agreed to accept up to 30,000 Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians and Venezuelans monthly.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The manager of a nearby bodega said the victims were arguing with another teen before the shooting erupted.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The nine-page complaint asks for construction to be halted, alleging the developer never went to the Michigan City Board of Zoning Appeals.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Back in November 2024, a whistleblower filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging, among other issues, misuse of resources and abuse of power at the union.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Predictably, our children will develop deeper critical-thinking and independent-reasoning abilities.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
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Like Sherlock Holmes or Benoit Blanc, Grace relies on reasoning to uncover the truth — only, in his case, billions of lives depend on his deductions.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Around this time Denise and Aaron filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Vallejo claiming defamation and emotional distress.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Benefits can begin as early as age 62, but claiming early typically means accepting a smaller monthly payment.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In listening without asserting.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But now the deal has been paused amid legal challenges asserting that Nexstar-Tegna violates antitrust laws.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tuchel tried to put a brave face on it afterwards, insisting that every team in the world would miss a player of Kane’s quality, and that his England team have won games without Kane in the past and will do so again in the future.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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The industry is bracing for massive jobs cuts, which Ellison has played down and did again Friday, insisting the combined company will operate more efficiently but also grow.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson took a plea agreement in January, pleading guilty to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and tampering with physical evidence.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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In October, former Kansas City Fire Captain Christopher Siegel was sentenced to 60 days in jail and five years’ probation after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated in Clay County in May 2023 — his fourth DWI since 2016.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contending. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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