1
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
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 contend
OpenAI contends that its ChatGPT uses public data under fair use principles
By
This story incorporates reporting from Live Law, inc42 and EconoTimes.
OpenAI has filed a motion in an Indian court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a coalition of book publishers.
—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Jan. 2025
At the same hearing, Republicans contended there only needed to be 67 members — a majority of the 133 current members of the House, and questioned the court’s authority to make a ruling about another branch of government.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2025
The lawsuit contends Becerra never threatened or charged the responding officers or anyone else.
—Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2025
Plus, in a facilities assessment that was considered as part of the decision to shutter the schools, the district contended Spalding's buildings were in fair condition, while Parklane's were graded poor.
—Kristal Dixon, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contend 
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Jan. 2025
At the same hearing, Republicans contended there only needed to be 67 members — a majority of the 133 current members of the House, and questioned the court’s authority to make a ruling about another branch of government.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2025
The lawsuit contends Becerra never threatened or charged the responding officers or anyone else.
—Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2025
Plus, in a facilities assessment that was considered as part of the decision to shutter the schools, the district contended Spalding's buildings were in fair condition, while Parklane's were graded poor.
—Kristal Dixon, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
Verb
-
Grace grew up dancing recreationally in Topeka and joined her high school dance team to compete against other schools in the area.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Wilson, 36, then latched on with the Pittsburgh Steelers to compete with Justin Fields for the starting job this past season.—
Vincent Frank,
Forbes,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
With its central storyline about a city on the brink of a natural disaster, underscored by the personal threat of deportation for a member of the 126, it could be argued that tonight’s 9-1-1: Lone Star‘s series finale (Fox, 8/7c) is its timeliest episode yet.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Psychotic delusions drove Laws to choke her grandmother, Doris Ruth Novella, 70, stab her and then beat her with a hammer on Feb. 20, 2020, Laws’ attorney argued, KSAT reports.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Social media users noted the similarities between the two men, with people insisting that Franco portray the 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate in whatever future show or movie was produced about his alleged crime.—
Caroline Thayer,
Fox News,
27 Jan. 2025
-
But their plans to quietly elope are upended when Min’s grandmother (Yun) flies in from Korea and insists on an all-out wedding extravaganza.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Last week, the lab launched r1, a reasoning model that surpassed OpenAI’s newest o1 in several third-party tests.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2025
-
That answer may not satisfy critics who want young major leaguers to shine right away, but Reese reasoned that league-wide interest in Yankees personnel is evidence that player development is doing something right.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Earlier this month, Alec Baldwin filed a civil rights suit against the district attorney and other officials in Santa Fe, N.M., alleging that he was wrongfully prosecuted for manslaughter in the accidental shooting of Hutchins.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Since filming, charges against Baldwin in New Mexico were dismissed after Baldwin's attorneys alleged prosecutors had buried evidence.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Soultz pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Dec. 6; she will be sentenced Feb. 11, according to the release.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Now Whisenant, 24, of Wisconsin, has pleaded guilty to the use of a communication facility in committing a felony drug offense, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said in a Jan. 31 news release.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacramento Bee,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In her decision on Wednesday, Judge Analisa Torres said that federal royalty rate rules clearly allowed Spotify to legally claim the lower rate.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Attorneys for Blanding, who weighs 489 pounds, filed the lawsuit, claiming the incident, which occurred earlier this month, violated Michigan's anti-discrimination laws, which include weight as a protected characteristic.—
Flynn Nicholls,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In particular, this season shows Messer continuing to be at odds with Ali when the 15-year-old, who lives with Titin Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy, tries to assert more independence without mobility aids.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
28 Jan. 2025
-
However, students have consistently rejected direct talks with Vučić, asserting that he is not constitutionally authorized to engage with them.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near contend
Cite this Entry
“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share