1
2
as in to argue
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 to insist
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 contend
Despite that order, the Trump administration proceeded with carrying out its deportation flights to El Salvador, contending that the planes had departed before Boasberg’s order was finalized.
—
David Catanese, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
The suit questions whether collective bargaining harms national security, as Trump contends, since the union was allowed to function during wars dating back to Vietnam and in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
In its Supreme Court briefs, the government contended that the dispute over the terminations was, like all employment disputes, exclusively between the federal government and its employees.
—Christina Gatti, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
More generally, Buffett’s philosophy contends that holding onto a wide variety of stocks for a long time — 10 years, at least — eventually pays off, because the market typically trends upward over time.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
David Catanese, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
The suit questions whether collective bargaining harms national security, as Trump contends, since the union was allowed to function during wars dating back to Vietnam and in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
In its Supreme Court briefs, the government contended that the dispute over the terminations was, like all employment disputes, exclusively between the federal government and its employees.
—Christina Gatti, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
More generally, Buffett’s philosophy contends that holding onto a wide variety of stocks for a long time — 10 years, at least — eventually pays off, because the market typically trends upward over time.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
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If the answer is anything but an unequivocal yes, the U.S. risks falling behind not just in business and innovation but in its ability to compete, protect and lead globally.—
Marty Sprinzen,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Battery startups have been hit hard by the changing policy landscape, the slowing EV market, and the reality of competing with China's low-cost lithium-ion batteries.—
Katie Fehrenbacher,
Axios,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Now, perhaps swayed by Trump’s popular vote victory – the first for a Republican candidate in 20 years – many US conservatives appear to have changed their position, arguing the US is more a democracy than a republic.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
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Anne argues that Tarantino is passing the project on to Fincher in order to avoid making the film his supposed 10th, and likely won’t force Netflix’s hand into giving the film a more plum theatrical window.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The government insisted there was no evidence that the AP had been harmed irreparably.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Mar. 2025
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The Dutchman was constantly shoehorned into an attacking midfield role that doesn’t bring out his best characteristics, yet Motta insisted on deploying him there.—
Emmet Gates,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, the researchers reasoned that the wasp likely did not intend to kill with the bizarre grasping structure.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2025
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Some of the judges have agreed with the players, reasoning that in the modern world of college sports, college athletes are economic actors whose chance to play—and be paid—is within the realm of antitrust law.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, during their meeting, Saldívar delayed handing over the papers, alleging she had been raped the night before, per USA Today.—
Kelsie Gibson,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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The Trump administration alleges that Maduro and Cabello are not only complicit in its rise but actively control it through the Soles drug cartel, using the gang as a deadly enforcement squad.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In court: Diddy pleads not guilty again, shocks with new look The graying music mogul appeared in court during the conference in front of U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian at Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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Combs is currently behind bars at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center and has pled not guilty to all five charges.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Iran experts have claimed that the fatwa is non-existent.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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If the Department of Education succeeds in obtaining immunity from DOGE lawsuits, other Trump administration departments would likely claim the same immunity.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Plaintiffs’ counsel offered a brief rationale in their motion to approve the deal, asserting that the CFP is an affiliated entity of the defendants, which include the NCAA and the quintet of athletic conferences formerly known as the Power Five.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Indeed, numerous Israeli political leaders express sympathy for Palestinians and assert that Israelis can only be secure when Palestinians are free.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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