contend
kun-TENDverbMeaning to argue that something is true; also, to compete
Memory hook CON-TEND: a CONTEST of arguments. In the class debate, Maya argues hard that summer should be longer, and she has three reasons ready. She contends it.
Maya contends that summer vacation should be a month longer.
In context Some historians contend that the bridge was built by the Romans, but others point out that its stones were cut with tools invented centuries later.
Similar argue, maintain, insist, hold
Opposite concede, deny
From Latin contendere, “to strive, compete”: con (with) + tendere (to stretch).