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
Price contends the Jameson portion of the USGS report is outdate and inaccurate, pointing to a much more recent 2025 third-party review from Sproule ERCE energy consultants that estimates the Jameson basin could hold 9 billion net barrels of recoverable crude oil.
—
Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
First, the union contends that the employees hired after the equity increase was made have no obligation to repay any money.
—Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
The defense also contends that Trump, as a public figure, must show actual malice—proof that the Journal knew its reporting was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth—and that the complaint fails to do so.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The association also contends 23XI and Front Row appear to want permanent charters, akin to acquiring equity in an NBA or NFL franchise.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The analyst contends that AT&T’s broadband opportunity remains an under-appreciated component of the company’s annual financial growth prospects.
—CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
Donahue contends the exemptions created in the bill are going to leave towns, cities and the state on the hook for an expensive cleanup.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Such deportation, her legal team contends, would send her into the custody of the same Army that has killed dozens of her family members.
—Aida Alami, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit contends that federal requirements preempt California and Washington laws that have prevented inquiring about the immigration status of people seeking commercial driver’s licenses.
—Jim Saunders, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Jordan Blum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
First, the union contends that the employees hired after the equity increase was made have no obligation to repay any money.
—Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
The defense also contends that Trump, as a public figure, must show actual malice—proof that the Journal knew its reporting was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth—and that the complaint fails to do so.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The association also contends 23XI and Front Row appear to want permanent charters, akin to acquiring equity in an NBA or NFL franchise.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The analyst contends that AT&T’s broadband opportunity remains an under-appreciated component of the company’s annual financial growth prospects.
—CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
Donahue contends the exemptions created in the bill are going to leave towns, cities and the state on the hook for an expensive cleanup.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Such deportation, her legal team contends, would send her into the custody of the same Army that has killed dozens of her family members.
—Aida Alami, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit contends that federal requirements preempt California and Washington laws that have prevented inquiring about the immigration status of people seeking commercial driver’s licenses.
—Jim Saunders, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends
Verb
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Because Washington’s Zach Ertz has played his entire career in the NFC (previously with the Eagles, Cardinals and Lions) and the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce competes in the AFC, their teams have seldom met.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
24 Oct. 2025
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The documentary, from filmmaker Xander Robin and Artists Equity, is about an initiative undertaken by the Florida government during which the general public competes in a contest to remove invasive pythons from the Everglades.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As Nicholas Royle argues, the scene of Cinna’s death can easily be treated as a version of Julius Caesar in miniature.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
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Colombia also argues that the river boundary has shifted, placing Santa Rosa in its territory.—
Isa Cardona,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The assault with the padlock happened one week after Buckley was moved to the cell, the suit alleges.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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The machines would predict which player at the table had the best hand and send that information to an off-site operator, the indictment alleges.—
Dan Gallo,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The complaint asserts that the transfer was a deliberate attempt to disrupt Holt’s legal advocacy on behalf of himself and other inmates.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
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And Doctorow asserts Amazon began charging merchants junk fees.—
NPR,
NPR,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Epstein insists the new luxury club won’t reduce general admission space, and renderings show the structure will rise above the existing grounds on the Turn 1 hill.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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O’Dowd insists that government intervention is needed.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Castelion claims that its mission is rooted in the belief that freedom must be actively protected – through technological strength, strategic clarity, and national resolve.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
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There’s been a series of starts and stops with Lehrer’s case, which Emma claims is riddled with corruption.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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