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 Armstrong contends that Woodward gave his challenge no meaningful consideration. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026 The Jets are setting themselves up to contend in 2027, but the Bills and the Patriots remain the class of the AFC East. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 If Year 2 in Nick Caley’s system can produce the necessary growth, Stroud and the Texans should again contend for the AFC South title and have a shot at a deep playoff run. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The president contends the program to hire skilled foreign workers has been used to take jobs away from Americans. — Ted Hesson, Washington Post, 24 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
  • The consultant reasons by filling a notebook with calculations, then hands you a one-sentence answer, and keeps the notebook.
    — Adam Fish, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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
  • Bates declared the platform the Principality of Sealand and asserted its sovereignty as a micronation distinct from Great Britain.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than simply asserting that demand is durable, Kress argued that Nvidia’s growth is increasingly diversified beyond hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of assert

Phrases Containing contend

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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 2 Sep. 2026.

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