General:
* Asserted: This implies a strong statement of belief or fact.
* Stated: This is a more neutral term, simply indicating that something was said.
* Declared: Similar to "asserted," but with a stronger emphasis on a formal proclamation.
* Maintained: This suggests a persistent assertion, often in the face of opposition.
Specific to Ownership:
* Possessed: This focuses on the act of having something, often physically.
* Owned: This emphasizes legal or rightful possession.
* Acquired: This implies that something was obtained, often through effort.
Specific to Loss:
* Lost: This refers to the act of no longer having something.
* Taken: This implies that something was removed from the possession of someone else.
Specific to Victory:
* Won: This implies a triumph over others in a competition or contest.
* Secured: This suggests that something was achieved with effort.
To choose the best synonym, consider:
* The context of the sentence: What is being claimed? Who is making the claim?
* The tone of the sentence: Is the claim being presented as factual, confident, or tentative?
* The desired effect: Do you want to emphasize the strength of the claim, the method of obtaining something, or the outcome of a situation?