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
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
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Bichette and Guerrero arrived in the big leagues expecting to become anchors for a lineup that would be strong enough to compete for the division year after year.—
Marc Carig,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
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This matchup is part of the 2025 Oman Tri-Nation Series, which has these two nations and Namibia competing.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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While it can be argued that the 20th century was defined by long-term employment and prioritizing a sense of stability, the modern landscape—carved in large by younger generations—revolves around personal fulfillment, work-life balance, and a sense of belonging.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Stynes has long insisted that the optimal snow conditions must be chased.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2025
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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
Verb
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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
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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
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The filing alleged the Trump administration had failed to comply with the order.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2025
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Purdue Pharma and its owners, members of the Sackler family, reached a multibillion-dollar settlement this year to resolve thousands of lawsuits alleging that the pain medication OxyContin caused a widespread opioid addiction crisis in the US.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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An Idaho man who in 2023 fled after his wife’s death and was found naked in a sleeping bag near his dead 10-month-old son pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of murder, according to court documents.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Industry groups claim the spot doesn't adequately disclose safety risks of these drugs.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
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According to the Guardian, Ticketmaster started the crackdown this weekend, with ticket buyers — many of whom claim to have legitimately purchased tickets — being informed over email that their tickets were being refunded.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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Similarly, the challengers in the ICE enforcement case assert that DHS was required to, but did not, explain its change after 30 years of congregants relying on places of worship as a refuge from ICE operations.—
Christina Gatti,
NPR,
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.
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