1
2
as in argues
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 alleges
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 contends
The firm contends that slow-moving, lightweight drones offer superior safety, efficiency, and practicality for last-mile deliveries.
—
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
The Next Level Apparel partner also contends that ongoing testing programs are more effective at catching substitution risks as supply chains shift over time, particularly compared with periodic audits or one-time reviews.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
The action contends that the resulting damage to his reputation undermines his chances of reelection.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Duterte has long denied the accusations of human rights abuses and contends that drug issues should be settled by domestic law enforcement.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Later that year in 2024, Eckardt contends Salinas refused to award him the contracts for Coach Prime and Good Sports.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
With his plans to cap his college partners at 30, Davis contends that those that spurned Avo’s advances will eventually come to regret it.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
The Republican contends the selection came down to Democratic supervisors picking a political ally.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
For example, the ADL contends that vilification of Zionism — the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel — is a form of antisemitism, yet some Jews are among the critics of Zionism and of the ADL itself.
—David Crary, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
The Next Level Apparel partner also contends that ongoing testing programs are more effective at catching substitution risks as supply chains shift over time, particularly compared with periodic audits or one-time reviews.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
The action contends that the resulting damage to his reputation undermines his chances of reelection.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Duterte has long denied the accusations of human rights abuses and contends that drug issues should be settled by domestic law enforcement.
—Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Later that year in 2024, Eckardt contends Salinas refused to award him the contracts for Coach Prime and Good Sports.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
With his plans to cap his college partners at 30, Davis contends that those that spurned Avo’s advances will eventually come to regret it.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
The Republican contends the selection came down to Democratic supervisors picking a political ally.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
For example, the ADL contends that vilification of Zionism — the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel — is a form of antisemitism, yet some Jews are among the critics of Zionism and of the ADL itself.
—David Crary, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends
Verb
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Quilting competes with my writing—there are, after all, only so many hours in a day—but like reading it also complements it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Ryan Rollins was one of the only bright spots from Milwaukee’s season, providing great value as a playmaker and shooter who competes defensively and has a nose for the ball.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Bonta argues Bianco violated state law and the attorney general’s authority by removing ballots from official custody without identifying a specific crime or suspect.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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That creative legacy, Santiago argues, is now a competitive advantage.—
Mathew Scott,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The affidavit further alleges that the girl told her father that Diaz touched her inappropriately, and that Diaz left and went to a nearby hotel.—
Charmaine Patterson,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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The indictment alleges the proceeds were used to further TdA’s criminal goals.—
Robert McGreevy,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The report released Thursday asserts that reimbursements to the city for personal charges were negligible.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
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Such mishaps arise when an author asserts a statement of fact and asks AI for a citation, Topaz explained.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Yet convenience has not come at the price of comfort, insists designer Mikael Axelsson, who set out to better the coziness of conventional foam fillings.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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Hao insists philanthropy alone won’t solve academic medicine’s financial and structural challenges.—
Lisa Chambers,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Purpose dissolves into who owns it, who displays it, who claims authority over it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Allowing bad actors to continue to do business while limiting their competition forces consumers, as well as Medicare, to continue to use the very low-quality firms Oz claims to be battling.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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