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.

Nexstar contends the deal would strengthen TV station economics, allowing stations to bolster their news gathering and expand the number of newscasts.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

The twist is not Emma’s confession itself, but how the film contends with its dark, exquisitely nuanced subject matter in a way that is completely different from its contemporaries.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

However, Sachdeva contends, the world is changing and most of the oil produced in the Middle East is sold to Asia, not America, which is now a net exporter itself.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

A documentary follows big-wave rider Joana Andrade as she contends with her terror of drowning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

“You don’t know what Aunt Goldie contends with all by herself, and it’s none of your business to judge. Peach will grow up and he will grow out of this phase...”

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles