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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contending
Council members Marc Whyte and Misty Spears opposed the move, contending that the city should not interfere with ICE’s work and doing so could result in lawsuits.
—
Madison Iszler, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Feb. 2026
Of all of the non-playoff teams, Baltimore is the closest to contending.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Tens of millions of dollars have already been set aside by the contending factions in anticipation of an all-out political war next fall.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Middleton would qualify as a quality candidate who would add value to a contending team with a roster spot and financial flexibility.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Cam Johnson has experienced first-hand what an injury epidemic can do to a championship-contending team.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Before then, Jackie Wiles will look to get Team USA's other main medal-contending pairing off to a strong start.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Five leaders of Oklahoma synagogues and Jewish service centers issued a joint statement contending the school’s founders failed to consult the local community before seeking state approval.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 10 Feb. 2026
One of only three teams in the league without a deadline move, with the highly competitive and contending San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets being the others.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Madison Iszler, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Feb. 2026
Of all of the non-playoff teams, Baltimore is the closest to contending.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Tens of millions of dollars have already been set aside by the contending factions in anticipation of an all-out political war next fall.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Middleton would qualify as a quality candidate who would add value to a contending team with a roster spot and financial flexibility.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Cam Johnson has experienced first-hand what an injury epidemic can do to a championship-contending team.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Before then, Jackie Wiles will look to get Team USA's other main medal-contending pairing off to a strong start.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Five leaders of Oklahoma synagogues and Jewish service centers issued a joint statement contending the school’s founders failed to consult the local community before seeking state approval.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 10 Feb. 2026
One of only three teams in the league without a deadline move, with the highly competitive and contending San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets being the others.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contending
Verb
-
What’s interesting about this story … is that Eileen Gu is an American skier competing for China.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Critics argued that the hotel industry was already faced with the minimum wage changes and low demand, and increasing taxes by any amount could send tourists to competing hotels in nearby cities.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Generally, the judges who’ve released detainees say the federal government is wrongly arguing that a statute that historically applied to migrants caught at the border can be applied to anyone seeking to gain legal status to remain in the United States.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In 2014, the New York Times published a six-part series arguing for a repeal on the federal marijuana ban, comparing the government’s treatment of cannabis to the prohibition on alcohol in the 1920s.—
Elaine Mallon,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The National Redistricting Foundation filed a lawsuit on behalf of two Florida voters alleging DeSantis’s attempt to redistrict the state mid-decade via a special session is unlawful.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The files also contain testimony from an unnamed Epstein victim alleging that Brin had visited Epstein’s island around 2006.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In reasoning training, study participants worked on the ability to solve problems that follow a serial pattern, like identifying the pattern in a letter or number series.—
Akshay Syal,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
-
But Sophie decides not to, reasoning that Benedict is only looking for the Lady in Silver, who’s a fantasy.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For many reasons Texans are overtaxed as witnessed by the governor claiming surpluses.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The co-owner of Pierozek in Brooklyn says a website claiming to sell pierogi plush pillows used photos from his restaurant's social media accounts in their customer reviews section.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
William is asserting himself as the architect of a stricter, more disciplined royal model.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But recent reporting describes ICE asserting broader authority through internal guidance.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One side keeps insisting tougher enforcement and punishment will fix everything.—
Mark Mitchell,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Each design carries weight — physically and symbolically — insisting that perfume is not an accessory, but an object worthy of permanence.—
Sudhir Gupta,
Rolling Stone,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a third, a Guatemalan national was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to attempting to choke officers and grabbing one by the genitals.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have released several emotional video statements pleading for their mother's safe return and urging the public to share any information that might help solve the case.—
Paula Cohen,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contending. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
