1
as in competing
to engage in a contest
two traditional rivals contending for the championship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in arguing
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 alleging
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 contending
The Wizards are talking about contending next season, once their centerpiece arrives through the draft.
—
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
After the second call was overturned, Twins manager Derek Shelton exploded from the dugout, contending Helsley didn’t challenge in time.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
The Wild proved their commitment to contending this season by signing Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million contract extension — the richest deal in league history.
—CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Few contending teams have boasted two high-caliber quarterbacks with starting experience.
—Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Many of his peers and former rivals have long since retired, burned out by the task of recruiting and coaching while also raising funds from boosters in order to build title-contending rosters.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
The Miami Marlins find themselves in a familiar limbo of either contending for the postseason or heading into another rebuilding year.
—Takashi Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The Carolina Panthers had the kind of free agency that could impact their contending chances in 2026 and beyond.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
That 72-52 victory boosted beliefs internally and externally that the Bruins were capable of contending.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
After the second call was overturned, Twins manager Derek Shelton exploded from the dugout, contending Helsley didn’t challenge in time.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
The Wild proved their commitment to contending this season by signing Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million contract extension — the richest deal in league history.
—CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Few contending teams have boasted two high-caliber quarterbacks with starting experience.
—Matthew Davis, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Many of his peers and former rivals have long since retired, burned out by the task of recruiting and coaching while also raising funds from boosters in order to build title-contending rosters.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
The Miami Marlins find themselves in a familiar limbo of either contending for the postseason or heading into another rebuilding year.
—Takashi Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The Carolina Panthers had the kind of free agency that could impact their contending chances in 2026 and beyond.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
That 72-52 victory boosted beliefs internally and externally that the Bruins were capable of contending.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contending
Verb
-
The legislation, the latest in a long effort by some lawmakers of both parties to rein in the price of insulin, faces many hurdles, including concerns about the cost and other competing congressional priorities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Our guys were locked in and competing.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Greenwood Village Police Department investigators said the men had been arguing while driving with two other people in the SUV when Hernandez pulled over and everyone but Hernandez got out of the vehicle to cool down.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The city sued, arguing the Angels were violating the lease, but a jury sided with the baseball team.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The nine-page complaint asks for construction to be halted, alleging the developer never went to the Michigan City Board of Zoning Appeals.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Back in November 2024, a whistleblower filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board alleging, among other issues, misuse of resources and abuse of power at the union.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gemini 3 Pro invented elaborate technical justifications for marking incorrect answers as correct, reasoning that doing so would bring the peer’s score above the shutdown threshold.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Predictably, our children will develop deeper critical-thinking and independent-reasoning abilities.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Based on simple human longevity, the typical retiree will collect the most benefits in the long run by claiming the largest possible monthly check.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
During the course of the bribery-kickback scheme, Joseph aided in the filing of false tax returns by claiming hundreds of thousands of dollars in false business deductions.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In listening without asserting.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But now the deal has been paused amid legal challenges asserting that Nexstar-Tegna violates antitrust laws.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tuchel tried to put a brave face on it afterwards, insisting that every team in the world would miss a player of Kane’s quality, and that his England team have won games without Kane in the past and will do so again in the future.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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The industry is bracing for massive jobs cuts, which Ellison has played down and did again Friday, insisting the combined company will operate more efficiently but also grow.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the other end, Gordon was pleading Jokic’s case and picked up his own tech — another free throw.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, the President taunted America’s allies, some of whom had been pleading for a settlement over Hormuz.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contending. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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