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
Regardless of how the move works out, Pittsburgh made this move to try to contend.
—
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
By examining alternative studies and methodological adjustments, Winship contends that the negative effects of trade with China have been significantly exaggerated and that populist narratives blaming this trade for U.S. economic decline aren’t supported by rigorous evidence.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
The alliance contends that the city already is failing to meet the milestones of the agreement and has no clear path to that goal.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
This agent contends that the generation that has run Hollywood for decades was hungrier and more aggressive than the one that followed.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
By examining alternative studies and methodological adjustments, Winship contends that the negative effects of trade with China have been significantly exaggerated and that populist narratives blaming this trade for U.S. economic decline aren’t supported by rigorous evidence.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
The alliance contends that the city already is failing to meet the milestones of the agreement and has no clear path to that goal.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
This agent contends that the generation that has run Hollywood for decades was hungrier and more aggressive than the one that followed.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
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Trump's Justice Department followed up, threatening legal action, saying that allowing the girl to compete was unconstitutional.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
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Tha Carter revealed a new artist—one who could make hits and compete lyrically with not just his labelmates, but hip-hop’s elite, like his idol Jay-Z. C1 has been largely eclipsed in the public imagination by its Carter successors, but remains the most upbeat and bouncy of the series.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Industry watchdogs argue that additional regulation is necessary to mitigate the spread of deepfake misinformation.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
3 June 2025
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The Entertainment Union Coalition argues that the bill will also help retain the existing workforce, which otherwise would continue to erode.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
3 June 2025
Verb
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But one of Holmgren’s first acts as a member of the Thunder, after a spectacular performance in his Summer League début, was to insist that a teammate join him for the postgame interview, which traditionally goes to the game’s key player.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
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Johnson insisted that Musk has bad information, and the speaker disputed the forecasts of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that scores budget legislation.—
Bill Barrow,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
Verb
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With the lion’s share of sales coming from incumbent legacy players, like Chanel and Dior, Landau reasoned that the category can be prohibitively expensive.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
5 June 2025
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The court reasoned that educators could not compel students to participate, because forcing children – or anyone – to engage in activities inconsistent with their beliefs is contrary to their First Amendment rights to the free exercise of religion and freedom of speech.—
Charles J. Russo,
The Conversation,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The passenger alleged that McRoy continued to take more marijuana dabs.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
8 June 2025
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By failing to meet and confer with the union over the impact of a return-to-office order on supervisors and managers in early March, Newsom violated state labor law, the union alleges.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
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The third suspect, Brock, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in the case, including murder, and is currently awaiting trial.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2025
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Read has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Snaking between trees or buildings may cause the drone to crash – the post cites examples where riders claim to have survived this way.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Sneed, the key witness for the prosecution, claimed Glossip paid him $10,000 to kill Van Treese.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
9 June 2025
Verb
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The Biden Department of Education’s fact sheet—which was not a law or a regulation promulgated through agency rule-making—asserted colleges paying athletes for use of their NIL ought to count as athletic financial assistance within the meaning of Title IX.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 June 2025
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After a shock-and-awe run of asserting executive power — much of it now tied up in the courts — Trump’s full attention is now on the Capitol, where lawmaking is in short supply this year.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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