CONTENDING Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

contending

verb

present participle of contend

as in competing

to engage in a contest two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in arguing

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

as in alleging

to state as a fact usually forcefully contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 contending Boston Bruins The Bruins have an average at best roster and farm system, and trying to win while rebuilding on the fly is something that usually backfires more often than leading to a contending team. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Kiley turned the criticism around, contending that his willingness to work with both parties was a strength. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Honeywell will now try to craft some similar moments with a contending Padres team. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The commission decided to require the regulatory language, contending such language is needed to make the policies in the plan enforceable under the state’s Coastal Act. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 Her absence — along with DNPs from multiple key Liberty starters — contributed to a contending team entering Thursday in a three-way tie for sixth place in league standings. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 While the competition is still several weeks out, some of the first marmots in the competition have already been introduced on the contending marmots Instagram. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 The Crowley campaign reacted to the Michigan election result by contending Hong's margin is not as wide as polling predicts, arguing her voter coalition is one that has never occurred in a statewide race in the Badger State. — Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Union officials and House Democrats close to labor dismissed Welch’s claim, contending Benton had no real influence over organized labor’s decisions. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contending

Verb

Some of the film’s chaos is by design to clue viewers into the demands and desires of Ryan’s life as his obligations pull him in countless competing directions.

— Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
The franchise grew out of Wong, Shih and Yin’s own experiences competing in and observing Asian beauty pageants and talent contests held across North America and Asia.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of competing

Verb

The group has—so far unsuccessfully—called on both the NCAA and Big 12 to end the affiliation, arguing against universities participating in a youth-facing marketing campaign for energy drinks.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Approaching a parent with love and concern instead of arguing for their treatment can help alleviate a lot of stress.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of arguing

Verb

Jacqueline Smith, the publication’s ombudsman, sued the Department of Defense in June, alleging First Amendment violations after being forced out.

— Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Authorities say the victim waited a week to report the incident, alleging that Alvarez warned him not to contact law enforcement.

— Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleging

Verb

Some aldermen sought to ban them, reasoning that businesses using them should switch to the legalized, and therefore regulated and taxed, VGTs.

— Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Every prompt, retrieval, reasoning step and autonomous agent action consumes tokens that translate directly into cost.

— Daniel Fallmann, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasoning

Verb

The Cowboys did that last year after initial roster cuts, claiming cornerbacks Reddy Steward and Trikweze Bridges off waivers.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
That combination—a hard deadline six years out and a Congress that can’t agree on next steps—is precisely what Shedden says is pushing clients toward the exits early, even though claiming at 62 locks in a permanently smaller monthly check for life.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of claiming

Verb

Dockworkers are blocking weapons shipments, asserting the right to conscientious objection as a means of protection from unjustified charges and disciplinary action.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
McArn agreed, asserting that closing the contract would not prevent the district and teachers association from negotiating further.

— Chaewon Chung August 28, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of asserting

Verb

Republicans decided to risk it, insisting that eight months before an election was too soon to consider an outgoing President’s nominee.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
That hasn’t stopped Casinos and sportsbooks, who have every reason to feel threatened by a more fair and transparent model, from insisting these markets have no economic utility.

— Brian Quintenz, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of insisting

Verb

Vetter served time in prison after pleading guilty to felony possession of marijuana with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver, officials said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Before last season, Aitken penned an open letter to the Angels, pleading for a better partnership, a name change, and more access to inspect the stadium.

— Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026