contends

[kuhn-tendz] / kənˈtɛndz /

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compete, fight v.
argue v.

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.

See Examples For:

contends

Mr. Kidd contends that the dons’ wartime service accounted for their worldly cachet and influence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

Though he contends he never meant to send a message silencing those who would expose wrongdoing, he concedes that did happen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

Reported talk of sailors debating whether to jump off the ship is overblown, he contends, recalling jokes that were made during his time on an aircraft carrier.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

The “Anything But Bonds” trope will only end, Hartnett contends, if Warsh signals hawkish at the Jackson Hole symposium Aug. 28, and both the Fed and Bank of Japan tighten monetary policy in September.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 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