1
as in argument
an idea or opinion that is put forth in a discussion or debate
my contention is that today's lower batting averages are the result of better pitching
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
several actresses seem to be in heated contention for the title of "worst dressed"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contention
That addresses one of Mr. Trump’s core grievances: his contention that Europeans are free riders, sheltering under an American security umbrella.
—
Mark Landler, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
As for the Heat dropping further in the East standings and completely falling out of the play-in tournament/playoff contention, that’s unlikely with Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities report giving just a 0.2 percent chance of that scenario.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
Should the trend continue, this will not be good enough to secure Champions League football, and will knock them out of contention for the Europa League and Conference League spots as well.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
After Michigan State broke the conference title race wide open by winning at Michigan on Friday night, Wisconsin had a chance to step into the thick of contention.
—Jim Root, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contention
Mark Landler, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
As for the Heat dropping further in the East standings and completely falling out of the play-in tournament/playoff contention, that’s unlikely with Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities report giving just a 0.2 percent chance of that scenario.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2025
Should the trend continue, this will not be good enough to secure Champions League football, and will knock them out of contention for the Europa League and Conference League spots as well.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
After Michigan State broke the conference title race wide open by winning at Michigan on Friday night, Wisconsin had a chance to step into the thick of contention.
—Jim Root, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contention
Noun
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The argument as articulated so far by Trump administration officials appears to play down the economic benefits created by Social Security payments, infrastructure spending, scientific research and other forms of government spending that can shape an economy’s trajectory.—
Josh Boak,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
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People have different reassurance languages, and using the wrong one can leave your partner feeling unsettled, even if the argument is technically over.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are off the injury report for this game, giving themselves the green light for this rivalry game.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
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Even today, gangsta and drill rappers make headlines right here in Chicago when their music explodes into rivalries and retaliatory murders.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Yates doubled down on this assertion to The Charlotte Observer on Thursday, about 24 hours after NASCAR filed a counterclaim to the lawsuit involving the sanctioning body and 23XI and FRM.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2025
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Trump’s address featured a slew of false claims, such as the assertion that U.S. citizens that are hundreds of years old are receiving Social Security checks.—
Michael Wilner,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For the final 45 minutes, a group of six Benedictine male athletes joined to give the Eagles some outside competition.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
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Schools that get the lion’s share of their revenue from tuition are more vulnerable to enrollment declines and price competition.—
Emma Whitford,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Colossal said its woolly mouse would enable its scientists to test hypotheses about the link between specific DNA sequences and physical traits that enabled the mammoth, which went extinct around 4,000 years ago, to adapt to life in cold climates.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
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The hypothesis was that higher VO2 max would be associated with less brain shrinkage with age, which in turn would be associated with better cognitive scores.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As a digital balloting closed earlier Sunday, Carney received the overwhelming majority of the 150,000 members of the Liberal Party than any other contender in the short leadership battle.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2025
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Whoever challenges for the Democrat nomination will have half an eye on the national battle, where the economy, security and national pride are likely to outweigh liberal issues.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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What To Know The pope has faced ongoing health struggles which have sparked speculation about decisions by the Catholic Church on the upcoming Easter celebrations.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
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At that point, Zelenskyy interjected, bringing up the struggles his country has faced over the last decade, prompting Vance and Trump to shout at the Ukrainian president.—
Molly Nagle,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The mineral rights agreement is a fantastic solution to bring about an end to this conflict.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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The meeting touched on the need to strengthen Ukraine and European defense, after Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clashed at the White House on Feb. 28 over differing views on how to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contention. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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