contend
verb
con·tend kən-ˈtend 
contended; contending; contends
intransitive verb
1
: to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties : struggle
contended with the problems of municipal government
will contend for the championship this year
2
: to strive in debate : argue
transitive verb
1
: maintain, assert
contended that he was right
contends that the new law would help only the wealthy
2
: to struggle for : contest
She contended every point, objected to every request …
Margaret Mead
Margaret Mead
Synonyms
- battle
- compete
- face off
- fight
- race
- rival
- vie
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
These people contend that they have earned the right to the land. The team is expected to contend for the championship this year.
Recent Examples on the Web Grant will have to contend with a tough gauntlet that includes Lincoln, Wells, Cleveland and McDaniel. oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2022 Competing in 15 events over a two-day period can be an overwhelming task, but there were other challenges with which Francis had to contend. Emmett Hall, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Tennessee’s secondary will have to contend with Kedon Slovis, the former USC quarterback who led Pitt to a seven-point win over West Virginia last week. John Scheibe, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Shakib then has to contend with the pic’s tyrant filmmakers and a secret lover who jeopardizes this potentially life-changing opportunity. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 Sep. 2022 But even if all of those measures are seamlessly enacted, officials will still have to contend with the skepticism of students like Zayon Martinez. Arelis R. Hernández, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022 Sound engineers have to contend with how the music is going to sound outside the arena, too, with many concerts streaming over the internet. Chris Kornelis, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022 The big-bodied London also will have to contend with a run-heavy offensive focus. Cory Bonini, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales has to contend with a villain that can open portals to other universes with similar yet different versions of the Spider-Man. Wendy M. Pfeiffer, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2022 Competing in 15 events over a two-day period can be an overwhelming task, but there were other challenges with which Francis had to contend. Emmett Hall, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Tennessee’s secondary will have to contend with Kedon Slovis, the former USC quarterback who led Pitt to a seven-point win over West Virginia last week. John Scheibe, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Shakib then has to contend with the pic’s tyrant filmmakers and a secret lover who jeopardizes this potentially life-changing opportunity. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 Sep. 2022 But even if all of those measures are seamlessly enacted, officials will still have to contend with the skepticism of students like Zayon Martinez. Arelis R. Hernández, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022 Sound engineers have to contend with how the music is going to sound outside the arena, too, with many concerts streaming over the internet. Chris Kornelis, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022 The big-bodied London also will have to contend with a run-heavy offensive focus. Cory Bonini, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales has to contend with a villain that can open portals to other universes with similar yet different versions of the Spider-Man. Wendy M. Pfeiffer, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English contenden, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contendre, going back to Latin contendere "to draw tight, strain, make an effort, strive, compete," from con- con- + tendere "to extend outward, stretch, spread out, aim (at a purpose)" — more at tender entry 3
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Phrases Containing contend
Kids Definition
contend
verb
con·tend kən-ˈtend
contended; contending
1
: compete
contend for a prize
2
: to try hard to deal with
He has many problems to contend with.
3
: to argue or state earnestly
She contends the test was unfair.
contend
verb
1
as in to compete
to engage in a contest two traditional rivals contending for the championship Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- compete
- fight
- battle
- race
- vie
- rival
- challenge
- play
- engage
- maneuver
- face off
- jostle
- work
- jockey
- try out
- go out
- train
2
as in to argue
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration contended that the senator's considerable experience made him the best candidate Synonyms & Similar Words
- argue
- reason
- assert
- insist
- plead
- claim
- convince
- justify
- maintain
- persuade
- suggest
- mention
- explain
- consider
- defend
- affirm
- cite
- propose
- adduce
- offer
- submit
- enforce
- advise
- advocate
- aver
- urge
- refute
- recommend
- discuss
- counsel
- espouse
- champion
- avow
- give
- advance
- rationalize
- support
- debate
- disprove
- counter
- rebut
- avouch
- confute
3
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything Synonyms & Similar Words
- insist
- allege
- claim
- assert
- declare
- argue
- maintain
- affirm
- proclaim
- purport
- profess
- announce
- protest
- aver
- defend
- reason
- warrant
- avow
- confirm
- put forth
- justify
- rationalize
- avouch
- vindicate
- persevere
- uphold
- broadcast
- reaffirm
- reassert
- support
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- deny
- abandon
- reject
- gainsay
- negate
- challenge
- repudiate
- disavow
- disclaim
- dispute
- refute
- disprove
- negative
- question
- rebut
- contradict
- counter
- disown
- confute