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
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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"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contention
The contention over the pipeline proposal dates back to 2019.
—
Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 July 2025
There is a four-way tie for fourth place as four different players surged to put themselves into contention going into the final round.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Of course, not everyone gets to take home the gold, and indeed, not everyone gets as far as a nomination, but some are left out of contention for reasons that have nothing to do with audience or critical appreciation or Television Academy voter preferences.
—Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 14 July 2025
There is still more work to do, but the Lakers are trying to make the necessary moves to get back into championship contention.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contention
Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 July 2025
There is a four-way tie for fourth place as four different players surged to put themselves into contention going into the final round.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Of course, not everyone gets to take home the gold, and indeed, not everyone gets as far as a nomination, but some are left out of contention for reasons that have nothing to do with audience or critical appreciation or Television Academy voter preferences.
—Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 14 July 2025
There is still more work to do, but the Lakers are trying to make the necessary moves to get back into championship contention.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contention
Noun
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In his ruling Thursday, Sabraw said the government did not prevail on any of those arguments.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 July 2025
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There are also legal challenges against current boundaries in Georgia, South Carolina and Utah, where Democrats have raised gerrymandering arguments.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Trump's hardline trade stance, however, risks straining the delicate U.S.-India defense relationship, which has blossomed in recent years in a sign of India's geostrategic importance to the United States amid its rivalry with China.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
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Due to their ensuing real-life and fictional rivalry to reach the top of the WWE pinnacle, there was still some bad blood between Punk and Triple H as the latter moved into an executive position.—
Skyler Trepel,
People.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
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Phelan batted aside several assertions, saying the measure targets candidates and campaign operatives who would deceive voters with fake images that often look real.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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There are four myths here, beginning with the assertion that the recession was caused by too much private sector greed and risk-taking and too little government supervision.—
John C. Goodman,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
Noun
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The annual festival features multiple bock beers from local craft breweries, a sausage cooking competition, live music, from local musicians, local vendors, and the highlight of the day, multiple heats of racing goat.—
Kirby Adams,
The Courier-Journal,
30 July 2025
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Shares of Apple have tumbled 14% this year, partly on concerns over its high exposure to tariff uncertainty and intensifying competition in smartphones and artificial intelligence sector.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
29 July 2025
Noun
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The findings back up a hypothesis that had been put forward by Beasley’s coauthor John Speth, an anthropologist at the University of Michigan, who has for nearly a decade argued that putrid meat and fish would have formed a key part of prehistoric diets.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
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Their hypothesis is that a drop in vehicle bug splatter signals a decline in the insect population.—
Adeel Hassan,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
Noun
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The conservative-majority court has already knocked out a significant part of the law, but the new legal fronts could reshape decades-long precedent of legal battles over political power.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
31 July 2025
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The conservancy's location is where multiple lion pride territories converge, creating opportunities to witness territorial battles and hunting behavior.—
Jenn Rice,
Travel + Leisure,
31 July 2025
Noun
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More struggles result in prosperity Another fight would also call for Jones' leadership in action.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
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In another, Paramount is reading the writing on the wall, as late-night and network television writ large struggle to keep up with streaming.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Str | Afp | Getty Images The escalating conflict between Thailand and Cambodia could have a negative impact on their tourism-dependent economies, but Cambodia's is more vulnerable, analysts said.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
25 July 2025
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Friday's instalment will be held one month after the end of fighting in the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, which saw the U.S. strike several targets in Iran.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contention. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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