CONTENDS (WITH) Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

contends (with)

verb

present tense third-person singular of contend (with)

as in addresses

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently a multitude of problems to contend with as soon as he returned to the office

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in opposes

to strive to reduce or eliminate medical missionaries who daily contend with disease and poverty

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contends (with)

Verb

While Standard 100 focuses on harmful substances in the product, the organization’s Made in Green label also addresses production conditions and traceability.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Toward the song’s end, Maines addresses Buddy Holly, another Lubbock native whom locals cast aside.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of addresses

Verb

The museum opposes an attempt by the Jewish Federation-Council of Greater Los Angeles and its board chair Daniel Gryczman, who sued in September for the return of Lucas Cranach the Elder’s 16th-century diptych painting Adam and Eve.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Doody, a former radio host, also supports school choice and opposes a millionaire tax, two notches in his favor.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of opposes

Verb

Mousquetaires Group, which runs the Intermarche chain, has indicated that a Danish company, Danfoss, manages the affected refrigerators.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Fox Entertainment Global holds domestic distribution rights to Baywatch and Fremantle manages all international sales.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of manages

Verb

As Ukraine fights a larger, richer and better-equipped enemy, Kyiv sees the strikes on Russian oil refineries as one of its few instruments to reduce Moscow’s ability to fight.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Gemma, still recovering from her injury, fights her impulses and stays on the sideline.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of fights

Verb

If a policy doesn’t say how AI handles your data, don’t assume it’s handled responsibly.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Sara Qudah, who handles the Middle East for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said Levine's beating was not an isolated incident for journalists covering the West Bank olive harvest.

— Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of handles

Verb

FinCEN is the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which combats money laundering, illicit financial activities and terrorist financing networks around the world.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
How Wisconsin combats loneliness Sampson said re-establishing connection to other people can often be a trial-and-error process.

— Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of combats

Verb

The series follows Mónica, a newly qualified lawyer who learns to defraud clients, manipulates her family to secure an inheritance, then betrays her mentor.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
In an interview with the Shade Room last year, Knight’s son, Shanga Hankerson, claimed McDowell pushed the singer into performing and manipulates her.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of manipulates

Verb

Indigenous Peoples Day provides an alternative option for those not wanting to recognize the controversial historical figure, and counters the narrative of Columbus being someone to idolize.

— Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 12 Oct. 2026
But the network counters the plaintiffs' claims on technical and legal grounds.

— David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of counters

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.

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contends

contends (with)

contend (with)

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“Contends (with).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contends%20%28with%29. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contends (with)

verb

Example Sentences

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