contend

verb

kən-ˈtend How to pronounce contend (audio)
Definition of contendnext
1
as in to compete
to engage in a contest two traditional rivals contending for the championship

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contend While some contend the Heat acted with too much haste in extending Nikola Jovic, there seems to be enough there with Pelle to avoid the risk of dealing with free agency. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 But soon after, Defending Education, a national conservative advocacy group filed a complaint with the Education Department, contending that students of all races struggle in Chicago schools. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Summary This article contends that inflation management is not, and never has been, the Federal Reserve's core responsibility. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Some interpreters contend that the many gods are manifestations of the singular transcendent divine. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
  1. compete
  2. argue
  3. insist
  4. reason
  5. allege
  6. plead
  7. claim
  8. assert
Verb
  • If Woltemade leaves then Wissa, Joe Willock, who is set to stay, and Jacob Ramsey are the obvious candidates to compete to play there.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The series will see 16 people compete head-to-head for a $250,000 cash prize.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of compete
Verb
  • Some officials argue that would let Iceland keep control of its waters, since no EU country has fished there for decades.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
  • While that figure was low, the researchers argued that even a small risk of unintended weapons use could be unacceptable in sensitive maritime confrontations.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of argue
Verb
  • The secretary insisted he is focused on leading the War Department.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Alongside workers’ rights organization Arise Chicago and community organizing group Communities United, workers are now stepping forward to insist that the business give them their due — in full.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • An organization that can't see what its own people know can't reason from it or build on it, and ends up making the same mistakes in three places at once.
    — Panos Siozos, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • China is betting big on humanoid robots, which the nation’s technology leaders see as key agents in the race to artificial general intelligence (AGI) – an AI system with human-level ability to reason and act.
    — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Three winemakers earlier this month filed suit against the owner of Hundred Acre Wines, Jayson Woodbridge, and his company alleging that smoke from the wildfire ruined their harvests, the Press Democrat reported.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In the indictment, prosecutors allege John-Paul posted a nude photo of Mica online, had tracking devices placed on her vehicle, contacted her more than 50 times in one day, and interfered with her finances.
    — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of allege
Verb
  • His case has remained pending while the other two adults charged with murder, Miller and Terry Young, ultimately pleaded guilty to lesser gun charges.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • At the same hearing, a fifth defendant, Subhan Ahmed, 18, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assisting an offender.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of plead
Verb
  • The brand also claims that this sweeps away plaque rather than just blasting a hole through it, more effectively eradicating the sludgy bacteria.
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Center/guard Corey Bullock, who was beaten out by Andrew Vorhees for the team’s ninth offensive line spot, was claimed by the Carolina Panthers.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of claim
Verb
  • The item asserted that some Medicare and Medicaid cancer patients wait longer for treatment than those with private insurance.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The report asserts flatly that Zucker wasn’t truthful and danced around the same accusation regarding Ballmer.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of assert

Phrases Containing contend

Browse Nearby Words

contemptuousness
contend
contended
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Cite this Entry

“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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