1
2
as in argued
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 insisted
to state as a fact usually forcefully
contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 contended
Carter’s press secretary Jody Powell contended that journalistic attack dogs foamed at the mouth.
—
Amber Roessner / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Attorneys for the city contended that the Municipal Court's recording practices do not violate the state law and that Legal Action of Wisconsin was trying to expand the scope of the law to include recording more hearings than required.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
The Teamsters have contended before the National Labor Relations Board that the drivers, who are easily identifiable by their distinctive gray-blue Amazon uniforms and matching vans, should be considered direct employees of the company.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
In advance of his trial, Girardi’s defense attorneys had contended that their client was mentally incompetent and suffered from a form of dementia.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Leaper contended that the expectations of what makes a supermodel are always changing and the goal posts are getting more competitive as models are now up against actors and musicians for magazine covers.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024
In the statement, Martinez contended that the Board of Supervisors can’t set policy for the Sheriff’s Office.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Others have contended the trouble stems from the heated debate over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, while still others have attributed the problems to culture war battles, including LGBTQ issues such as transgender rights.
—Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
Other researchers contended that these communities hunted for larger game.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
Amber Roessner / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
Attorneys for the city contended that the Municipal Court's recording practices do not violate the state law and that Legal Action of Wisconsin was trying to expand the scope of the law to include recording more hearings than required.
—Alison Dirr, Journal Sentinel, 27 Dec. 2024
The Teamsters have contended before the National Labor Relations Board that the drivers, who are easily identifiable by their distinctive gray-blue Amazon uniforms and matching vans, should be considered direct employees of the company.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
In advance of his trial, Girardi’s defense attorneys had contended that their client was mentally incompetent and suffered from a form of dementia.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Leaper contended that the expectations of what makes a supermodel are always changing and the goal posts are getting more competitive as models are now up against actors and musicians for magazine covers.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024
In the statement, Martinez contended that the Board of Supervisors can’t set policy for the Sheriff’s Office.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Others have contended the trouble stems from the heated debate over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, while still others have attributed the problems to culture war battles, including LGBTQ issues such as transgender rights.
—Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
Other researchers contended that these communities hunted for larger game.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended
Verb
-
Job openings rose to historic levels, unemployment fell to its lowest point since the late 1960s and wages grew at their fastest pace in decades as businesses competed for talent.Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Summer Olympics Paris, host of the 2024 Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11, was bursting at the seams with activity as around 8 million visitors attended The Games, along with the 10,500 athletes who competed for glory.Roger Sands, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Filings questioning the constitutionality and arbitrariness of the death penalty were just some of the similar motions Taylor lodged and argued in Kohberger’s criminal case.Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2025
-
His lawyers have argued that a president's immunity from criminal proceedings extends to the transition period — the time between the election and inauguration.Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
White and McGregor have insisted the former will return to the Octagon in 2025, but perhaps this fight with Jake or Logan could precede his return to the UFC.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
-
In the House, a majority of Democrats voted against the bill after House Speaker Mike Johnson insisted on adding the provision to ban transgender medical care for children.CBS News, CBS News, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Third Down Conversions Another area where the first-round winners asserted their dominance was on third-down conversions.Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
-
As part of its motion, the government asserted that if the Court did not grant the stay by December 12 or 13, the government would ask for the same relief in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Just days before the vote, the complaint alleged, the employee in the auditor’s office violated ethics laws by sharing confidential information that portrayed the ambulance service negatively.Jacob Orledge, ProPublica, 6 Jan. 2025
-
To that end, although the complaint references alleged text messages from Bayless, the more explosive and damning allegations are told through Faraji’s recollections.Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Not everyone was on the same page, as some commentators maintained that Lively had behaved rudely to Kjersti Flaa in that infamous interview and had a problematic past.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
-
Even amid stressful late-game scenarios, Washington’s quarterback, whose EKG might have appeared flatlined since he seemingly never gets rattled, maintained his calm approach.Ben Standig, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Dozens of people have been infected around the country, California has declared a state of emergency and the spread among livestock has begun impacting the food supply.Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024
-
Bill Lawrence has been around long enough to hear the comedy, the multicam sitcom — everything, really — declared dead.Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near contended
Cite this Entry
“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share