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.

None of that would be safe for the public, Woodcock contends.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 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

Ms. Gage rightly contends that this region deserves more renown than it often gets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Shell contends that Cipriani demanded compensation for his unsolicited efforts, then sought to “weaponize that fiction,” followed by a threat of public exposure to extract an alleged payday.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

But even if, as Cannadine contends, “Speech was the very fibre of his being,” that’s not to say that it proceeded in any natural way from that being.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith