Synonyms of contending

contending

verb

present participle of contend

1

as in competing

to engage in a contest

two traditional rivals contending for the championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• competing
• fighting
• battling
• racing
• vying
• rivaling
• playing
• facing off
• challenging
• engaging
• maneuvering
• jockeying
• jostling
• trying out
• going out
• working
• training

2

as in arguing

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

• arguing
• reasoning
• asserting
• pleading
• maintaining
• insisting
• claiming
• convincing
• justifying
• explaining
• mentioning
• suggesting
• persuading
• considering
• citing
• defending
• proposing
• affirming
• urging
• submitting
• advocating
• offering
• discussing
• enforcing
• adducing
• recommending
• advancing
• advising
• countering
• debating
• giving
• rationalizing
• refuting
• supporting
• averring
• avowing
• championing
• espousing
• counseling
• avouching
• disproving
• rebutting
• confuting

3

as in alleging

to state as a fact usually forcefully

contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• alleging
• claiming
• insisting
• asserting
• maintaining
• declaring
• arguing
• protesting
• announcing
• affirming
• proclaiming
• purporting
• professing
• averring
• defending
• warranting
• reasoning
• avowing
• confirming
• putting forth
• justifying
• avouching
• rationalizing
• broadcasting
• vindicating
• upholding
• persevering
• reasserting
• reaffirming
• supporting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• denying
• abandoning
• rejecting
• challenging
• disputing
• repudiating
• negating
• questioning
• disclaiming
• disavowing
• refuting
• countering
• gainsaying
• disproving
• rebutting
• contradicting
• disowning
• negativing
• confuting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contending

The win brings Houston to 1-1 in conference play and keeps their hopes of contending in the Big 12 alive. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Cruise is absolutely not at the top of the pack, as other stars who have yet to win an Oscar for their acting, like John Malkovich, Matt Damon, and Ryan Gosling, are in contending films that have broader appeal. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 29 Sep. 2026

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds criticized Jolly's proposal, contending that approach would leave homeowners footing the bill. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

There’s a lot on the line for both programs, but more so for the Tigers’ goal of contending for an SEC title. — Pj Green september 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

But this is Mahomes, Kelce, Jones and coach Andy Reid coming to town with three Super Bowls under their belt and a determination to return to contending form early this season after going 6-11 last year. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

This year, with The Odyssey and Project Hail Mary representing the majority of Oscar-contending performances already in the mix, space is wide open for new contenders to catch fire during festival season and blaze all the way to the Oscars in March. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

The Oscar-contending documentary Once Upon a Time in Harlem, directed by David Greaves from footage shot by his late father, William Greaves, has earned the eighth annual Library Of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026

Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey A pregnant Kaley Cuoco picks the perfect pink gown to showcase her baby bump alongside fiancé Tom Pelphrey, who is contending for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026