Definitions

contends

[kuhn-tendz] / kənˈtɛndz /

VERB

compete, fight

Synonyms

STRONGEST

argue confront cope dispute go after grapple meet oppose push for resist vie

STRONG

battle clash contest controvert emulate encounter face jostle litigate oppugn push rival skirmish stand strive struggle tug withstand

WEAK

give all one's got give one's all go for go for broke go for it go for jugular have at jockey for position knock oneself out lock horns make play for mix it up with scramble for shoot at shoot for tangle with

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agree comply go along

STRONG

hide make peace retreat surrender yield

WEAK

abandon cede desert give in give up leave

VERB

argue

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allege assert charge claim defend dispute insist maintain say tell urge

STRONG

affirm aver avow blast cross debate dictate enjoin hold justify mix prescribe report rip vindicate warrant zap

WEAK

come at fly in face of gang up on go at have at have bone to pick jump on lace into lay into let have it light into lock horns with mix it up put up argument set to sock it to one stick it to take on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deny desert forget question

STRONG

divide separate unmix

WEAK

abandon cede give in give up leave retreat surrender

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Brown contends that Mr. Ryan is incomparable, though Sandy Koufax, a fellow artist of no-hitters, comes to mind.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

The union contends UC is misrepresenting who would receive the raises and by how much, arguing the examples are not representative of a membership with an average salary of $62,000.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Ms. Vanderkam, meanwhile, contends that time is vast and abundant.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Haymon contends the judge misused her power and that the State Bar imposed no corrective measures following a review.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Astrology contends that which constellation the planets are in at the moment of your birth profoundly influences your future.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan