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
Showalter’s report contends officers yelled for Hardy to stop and that the man rode through barricades and into the district.
—
Nathan Pilling
updated July 11, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
Her legal team contends that Supervisors Ray Mueller and Noelia Corzo should have recused themselves from voting.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
But one insider maintains O’Brien’s presidential access has, at least, been effective in keeping Hollywood issues top of mind with an easily distractible president.)
O’Brien contends Trump is a new man.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
The suit contends that Gillett was pushing fellow commissioners out of the rate-setting process by issuing unilateral decisions in the name of the authority’s executive secretary.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Nathan Pilling
updated July 11, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
Her legal team contends that Supervisors Ray Mueller and Noelia Corzo should have recused themselves from voting.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
But one insider maintains O’Brien’s presidential access has, at least, been effective in keeping Hollywood issues top of mind with an easily distractible president.)
O’Brien contends Trump is a new man.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
The suit contends that Gillett was pushing fellow commissioners out of the rate-setting process by issuing unilateral decisions in the name of the authority’s executive secretary.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
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Teams are competing to win the $50,000 grand prize.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
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In contrast, the Cincinnati area is aging more quickly and struggling to draw in younger workers — a trend that, according to the chamber's report, could hinder the region’s ability to compete with other metros in business growth, infrastructure development, and innovation.—
Randy Tucker,
The Enquirer,
25 July 2025
Verb
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But McBride argues that, by this point, Americans had begun viewing hair style as a personal choice, making Jones’s ultimatums controversial.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
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Critics will argue that normalization is politically suicidal for any Pakistani leader.—
Jack Rosen,
New York Daily News,
21 July 2025
Verb
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But Beijing and Hong Kong insist the national security laws were necessary for the city's stability.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 July 2025
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The club insisted Isak was left behind because of a minor thigh problem but The Athletic reported on Thursday sources, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to do so publicly, indicated the forward favoured being omitted amid his uncertain future.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
Verb
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As an advocate for scientific research, Peoples reasoned that seemingly arcane discoveries can unexpectedly yield astonishing and wide-range applications and results.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
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Far beyond the robotic process automation of the past, Gen AI platforms can now reason, create and analyze with a sophistication that rivals human capability.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Neymar has alleged that a fan called him a mercenary and spoke about his family and friends after Santos’ 2-1 home defeat by Internacional on Wednesday.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
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The lawsuit alleged that Tyler Technologies Inc. violated the state’s 2024 Honest Pricing Law by adding hidden fees to campsite reservations.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Smith pleaded guilty to one federal count in exchange for her cooperation.—
Craig Shoup,
The Tennessean,
23 July 2025
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Craig, a 47-year-old dentist, pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder, solicitation to commit evidence tampering, and solicitation to commit perjury.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Across town at her front door, witness Lora Hampton, 60, who escaped the bullets that claimed West and Smith in the parking lot that night, had little sympathy for him.—
The Marshall Project,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 July 2025
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The Massachusetts rapper continues to pepper Skepta with jabs across the track, while claiming the U.K. rhymer has lost his buzz back home and he’s washed up.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Acrobatics & tumbling asserts its athletic diversity, drawing on a wide range of strengths from its participants.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
14 July 2025
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Brown denies the allegations, and her attorney asserts her innocence, while the city seeks restitution and damages.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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