1
2
as in argued
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 insisted
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 contended
The company's lawyers have contended that the Oklahoma case in which Drummond intervened is a private dispute that doesn't involve government officials or public funds.
—
Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
And in an effort to rebut claims that Comey was being selectively prosecuted, Blanche contended the case against the former FBI director was similar to other threats cases the department routinely brings against the lesser known.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Rivera’s defense team contended that the gun went off inadvertently in a struggle after Rosen reached into the car and grabbed Rivera.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 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
Though the large parties associated with Spring Weekend were not sanctioned by UConn, the lawsuit contended that university officials knew about the troubles and potential dangers that would ensue based, in part, on previous altercations that had occurred.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Veteran organizations and psychedelic advocates have long contended that ibogaine, which is made from a shrub native to West Africa, has great promise for hard-to-treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addiction.
—Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Veteran organizations and psychedelic advocates have long contended that ibogaine, which is made from a shrub native to West Africa, has great promise for hard-to-treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addiction.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
While the city contracts with about 20 non-governmental organizations for homeless services and even more subcontractors, Mitchell contended the city applies few or no performance metrics to them.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
And in an effort to rebut claims that Comey was being selectively prosecuted, Blanche contended the case against the former FBI director was similar to other threats cases the department routinely brings against the lesser known.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Rivera’s defense team contended that the gun went off inadvertently in a struggle after Rosen reached into the car and grabbed Rivera.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 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
Though the large parties associated with Spring Weekend were not sanctioned by UConn, the lawsuit contended that university officials knew about the troubles and potential dangers that would ensue based, in part, on previous altercations that had occurred.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Veteran organizations and psychedelic advocates have long contended that ibogaine, which is made from a shrub native to West Africa, has great promise for hard-to-treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addiction.
—Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
Veteran organizations and psychedelic advocates have long contended that ibogaine, which is made from a shrub native to West Africa, has great promise for hard-to-treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addiction.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
While the city contracts with about 20 non-governmental organizations for homeless services and even more subcontractors, Mitchell contended the city applies few or no performance metrics to them.
—Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended
Verb
-
Sojic has also competed in multiple FIBA competitions with Serbia.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Hudson previously won a Division 4 NCA Collegiate Championship with Bridgewater State in 2021, and in recent years she's also competed in Miss Maine USA pageants, placing second at the 2024 event and coming in third place in 2025.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Both France and Padres manager Craig Stammen argued the call and replays seemed to clearly show the base of the ball was entirely in foul ground.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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The trust has said that recognizes the need for a larger meeting space at the White House, but argued that only Congress could authorize it.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After being bossed by Paris Saint-Germain across two legs in the Champions League quarter-final, Slot insisted the future remained bright at Liverpool.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Adelman insisted that his team demonstrated competitive spirit, citing the make-or-break league as an explanation for the loss.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Three years ago, the city considered closing the pool as a cost-saving measure but residents fought its closure.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The Republicans fought it, and it’s died.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
1 May 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
-
Those are the people, Hall reasoned, who have the expendable income for the devices, which range in price from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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William Cruz, 49, of Carteret, NJ, was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian causing injury and failure to exercise due care for the fatal crash that claimed Jenny Maribel Chacho Sanchez on April 17.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
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In 2013, Lozzi stood outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to protest a screening of the HBO film Phil Spector and claimed the project implied Clarkson had committed suicide.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But though Venter raced the public project to a standstill — the two groups announced a tie on the White House lawn — the result, in business terms, was murkier.—
Matthew Herper,
STAT,
30 Apr. 2026
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Jorbit Vivas raced home from first after pitcher Freddy Peralta threw the ball wildly past first on Nasim Nuñez’s comebacker and Nuñez came home on Jacob Young’s single.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Throughout, the Cascios consistently and repeatedly asserted that Michael never harmed any of them or anyone else.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
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Officials at the time asserted the deal would compromise competition—even though the combined market share of both companies was less than 10 percent.—
Elaine Parker,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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