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
Its leaders have repeatedly contended that their resistance to occupation is protected under international law and the Lebanese constitution, if not under the new domestic policy.
—
Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
That so many exceptional shots came from Rai, a 31-year-old who had never so much as contended in a major, is irrelevant.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
In response, Lululemon has asserted that its leadership is why the brand has been able to scale into an $11 billion retailer, and contended Wilson is aligned with direct competitors including Alo Yoga and Vuori, who Wilson has admitted to advising, security filings show.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 18 May 2026
However, when Jackson has been healthy, the Ravens have contended.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Newport Harbor contended but was disqualified for an early take off, Sailors coach Kevin Potter confirmed.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Prejean Boller, a Catholic, contended that she was wrongly ousted for expressing her beliefs.
—Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Incentivizing cities and developers to process housing development Villaraigosa contended that rather than imposing new taxes on homeowners and businesses, the state should revive housing redevelopment programs.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Attorneys for the defendants, however, contended that the government doesn’t have the evidence to prove there was intent to join a criminal racketeering conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
That so many exceptional shots came from Rai, a 31-year-old who had never so much as contended in a major, is irrelevant.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
In response, Lululemon has asserted that its leadership is why the brand has been able to scale into an $11 billion retailer, and contended Wilson is aligned with direct competitors including Alo Yoga and Vuori, who Wilson has admitted to advising, security filings show.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 18 May 2026
However, when Jackson has been healthy, the Ravens have contended.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Newport Harbor contended but was disqualified for an early take off, Sailors coach Kevin Potter confirmed.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Prejean Boller, a Catholic, contended that she was wrongly ousted for expressing her beliefs.
—Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Incentivizing cities and developers to process housing development Villaraigosa contended that rather than imposing new taxes on homeowners and businesses, the state should revive housing redevelopment programs.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Attorneys for the defendants, however, contended that the government doesn’t have the evidence to prove there was intent to join a criminal racketeering conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended
Verb
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This 500-level event drew a smattering of US and Australia players, but was mostly competed by the core Asia contingent of pros and featured a slew of upsets and surprises along the way.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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The actor explained that number was a reference to the amount of female directors who had competed at Cannes up until that point in the festival’s history, compared to the 1,866 male directors over the same period.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Rusak argued that runoffs favor Paxton because base voters with the strongest attachment to candidates turn out at higher rates, while casual primary voters often skip the second round.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2026
-
McElmurry argued that no convincing motive was established for why Castillo would permit the beating, and sought to reframe the text message as his client soberly describing that he was being blamed for the attack.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Speaking about genocide earlier, Bardem insisted that, despite the spin much news is given, facts are still facts.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
17 May 2026
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Maybe, for those who knew his story, this was a high school marker for when college recruiters insisted Jackson was a receiver at the next level.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Marner fought through the contact, hit the brakes, deked the puck around Dostál with a nifty move between his legs and potted the goal to give Vegas an early 1-0 lead.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
That is what has sparked the debate within the audiovisual sector that has fought hard for its own identity, its own budget.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Verb
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No Supreme Court decision, no matter how reactionary or ill-reasoned, will ever extinguish the desire of Black Americans to be free and equal.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026
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After pigskin season ended, these people reasoned, activity might dwindle for a little while.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Vegas claimed its fifth regular-season Pacific Division title this year and is now four wins from a third Western Conference championship banner.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Bianco launched a voter‑fraud investigation after a local group claimed the county counted roughly 46,000 more ballots than were received, a claim election officials rejected.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Lee became the first Giants hitter to be credited with one against the Dodgers since 1981, when Larry Herndon raced around the bases against Fernando Valenzuela at Candlestick Park.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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The sound was moving, and Larry raced for our plane and turned on the emergency transmitter.—
Ben East,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
But the aspirations of a broader notion of citizenship quickly asserted itself.—
KEN BURNS,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2026
-
In response, Lululemon has asserted that its leadership is why the brand has been able to scale into an $11 billion retailer, and contended Wilson is aligned with direct competitors including Alo Yoga and Vuori, who Wilson has admitted to advising, security filings show.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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