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
Nico Ali Walsh, a professional boxer and the grandson of Muhammad Ali, contends consolidating power in combat sports would strip fighters of their right to choose where to fight, when to fight and cap their earning potential.
—
Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 27 Apr. 2026
States contend the federal government has no role in managing elections and federal judges agreed.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Still, Döpfner has contended that Axel Springer’s public commitment to those values has helped build trust with audiences.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Election law experts contend that the scenario of Republicans successfully overturning election results is unlikely, with legal remedies available to prevent stalling and ensure certification of results by January 3 when the new Congress convenes.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contend
Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 27 Apr. 2026
States contend the federal government has no role in managing elections and federal judges agreed.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Still, Döpfner has contended that Axel Springer’s public commitment to those values has helped build trust with audiences.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Election law experts contend that the scenario of Republicans successfully overturning election results is unlikely, with legal remedies available to prevent stalling and ensure certification of results by January 3 when the new Congress convenes.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
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News round-up FIFA plans to increase prize money and participation fees for the 48 competing nations at the World Cup.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Who’s this guy competing with in this room?—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trump has argued that last weekend’s shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner demonstrates why the ballroom is needed to hold safe, secure events for the president and other officials.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Some have argued that social media activity amounts to citizen journalism, but mostly citizen journalism appeared to have been displaced or subsumed by social media.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This has inevitably led to some conflicts; Hollywood actors tend to insist on their own way of doing things on set, Yang said.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Cuban government initially insisted that no deadline was offered and the talks were nothing but respectful.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maybe this closure doesn’t mean much to the park’s owner, Suriel reasoned.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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And chatbots that can reason and act on their own are far more effective than conventional algorithms at autonomously soliciting information from users.—
Brian Jay Tang,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Incoming Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar alleged that his predecessor’s associates are fleeing the country with billions of dollars in assets.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Later, however, an indictment alleged that shell casings found at that scene matched the 9mm gun in his possession when he was arrested.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Russell was charged in state court with voluntary manslaughter and pleaded guilty, receiving a jail sentence and probation.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Associated Press Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon had decided to retry all three for the murder of Theresa Fusco, starting with John Kogut, who again pleaded not guilty.—
Mary Murphy,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One of the most effective ways to lower outrageous healthcare costs is to give employers access to their own health plan claims data.—
Jordan Bruneau,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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In Joseph Heller’s novel, claiming to be crazy is taken as evidence of sanity.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The filing Monday asserts that a shot was heard after Allen, who was outfitted with a shotgun, handgun and several knives, ran through a metal detector.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
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Earlier this month, the federal government filed a lawsuit against Illinois, asserting that the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission, not the state gaming board, has regulatory authority over those platforms.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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