Synonyms of contended

contended

verb

past tense of contend

1

as in competed

to engage in a contest

two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• competed
• fought
• raced
• battled
• vied
• rivaled
• challenged
• played
• engaged
• faced off
• maneuvered
• went out
• worked
• jostled
• jockeyed
• tried out
• trained

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

• argued
• reasoned
• asserted
• pleaded
• maintained
• insisted
• convinced
• claimed
• explained
• mentioned
• justified
• suggested
• persuaded
• cited
• considered
• proposed
• adduced
• affirmed
• averred
• submitted
• defended
• urged
• offered
• discussed
• advocated
• advised
• recommended
• enforced
• championed
• countered
• gave
• espoused
• refuted
• rationalized
• counseled
• avowed
• debated
• advanced
• supported
• avouched
• rebutted
• disproved
• confuted

3

as in insisted

to state as a fact usually forcefully

contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insisted
• claimed
• alleged
• asserted
• maintained
• declared
• argued
• affirmed
• protested
• announced
• proclaimed
• averred
• professed
• purported
• avowed
• confirmed
• warranted
• reasoned
• defended
• put forth
• avouched
• justified
• rationalized
• vindicated
• upheld
• broadcast
• reaffirmed
• persevered
• supported
• reasserted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• denied
• abandoned
• rejected
• challenged
• repudiated
• disputed
• disclaimed
• questioned
• disavowed
• gainsaid
• negated
• disowned
• refuted
• countered
• negatived
• rebutted
• disproved
• contradicted
• confuted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contended

Some Democrats contended that the Justice Department greenlit the deal for political reasons, while warning that the Ellisons would steer CNN news coverage in a direction friendlier for the president. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Blacknell contended that four different medical professionals treated Linton after the crash and none of them concluded the wreck was tied to a bipolar episode. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

The business contended that the statute was vague and said that handwashing would qualify as a medical action under the act, according to the judge’s order. — Idaho Statesman, 23 Sep. 2026

At their joint trial, prosecutors contended that Merritt encouraged Fattore to kill Caleb and Bridget. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026

In a presentation to commissioners, Coral Gables Assistant City Manager Carolina Vester contended the Underline’s operational costs have risen a head-spinning 2,400% from the initial estimates of the project’s inception nearly a decade ago. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

Penn State regularly contended for New Year’s Six bowls but lost the close, important games so often that fans braced for heartbreak. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

This competition is amplified by how little direct evidence is available, Xavier contended in a Nature comment. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

This increase in work, the jury contended, was directly tied to Skains’ decision to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which determined Skains had the right to sue over the discrimination. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026