CONTENDED Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

contended

verb

past tense of contend

as in competed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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

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 contended Espinosa has contended that the ethics commission, not the city, is the proper venue for the investigation. — Sara-James Ranta, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 In a wide-ranging exclusive interview aired Tuesday, Dudum contended the allegations stemmed from a misunderstanding of how the company is altering healthcare. — Jacqueline Corba, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026 Supporters of the law contended Maryland needed to overhaul its tax methods in response to significant changes in how businesses advertise. — CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026 Supporters of the law contended that Maryland needed to overhaul its tax methods in response to significant changes in how businesses advertise. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 The year 1933, Arendt contended, marked the close of the age of bourgeois emancipation and Jewish liberation, which brought an end to a feeling of security in the West and signaled that the new sense of security in the East was a pipe dream. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 The union’s original grievance, the city contended, only challenged Biscari’s suspension pending resolution of his criminal case — not the underlying disciplinary action for the crash itself. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026 Carr has contended that the FCC nonetheless has statutory authority to scrap the rule — a position that is likely to face legal pushback. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026 In May, shortly after Comey’s indictment, Blanche—by then the acting Attorney General and angling to get the top spot on a permanent basis—contended that the government had more to go on than the single photo. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contended

Verb

Later on, the rise of more democratically responsive governments in the region would likely cause considerable headaches as ambitious politicians competed to condemn and denounce the United States.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Tame Impala Is Already a Grammy Winner While Jennie would be a brand-new Grammy nominee, Tame Impala has not only competed before, but won.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of competed

Verb

Yet Jeanie’s attorney, Adam Streisand of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton Law, argued in the letter sent to her siblings’ attorneys that two previous legal rulings render that strategy improper.

— Sam Amick, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
The bank argued that combination may prove difficult to sustain.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of argued

Verb

The company has insisted that the WBD deal is pro-competitive, and has asserted that the deal’s opponents are driven by political concerns, including the prospect of CNN changing hands.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
This caused a strained relationship with the company after city officials insisted the extra cost should be covered by PCL.

— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of insisted

Verb

Instead, Watts reasoned McCollough must not have had enough water that day.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
At the time, 1587 Sneakers reasoned that the football stars often take part in national advertising campaigns, making New York a fitting place to file.

— Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasoned

Verb

In his comments, the most substantial since taking on the new role, Rezaei also claimed the US’ attack on Iran had encouraged countries to seek protection by acquiring nuclear weapons.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
The league also claimed Gold participated in parlay bets on NFL and college games.

— Doug Haller, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of claimed

Verb

And Ian Happ raced around from first to score on the throwing error, giving the Cubs a 4-3 lead.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Tara Rudd drove toward Angel City’s back line and threaded a pass through to Rodman, who raced downfield and curled a shot just over goalkeeper Angelina Anderson.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of raced

Verb

Yet the vice president asserted that Iran will feel a much greater impact.

— Zac Anderson, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Despite missing out on the World Cup's Best Player, Mourinho asserted Real Madrid's midfield, including Tchouameni, Camavinga, and Valverde, has no deficit, even after Kroos and Modric's exits.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of asserted

Browse Nearby Words

contend

contended

contended (with)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contended. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of contended

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on contended

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

expeditious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes