contend

[ kuhn-tend ]

verb (used without object)

1. to struggle in opposition:

   to contend with the enemy for control of the port.

   Synonyms: fight, battle, grapple, wrestle

2. to strive in rivalry; compete; vie:

   to contend for first prize.

3. to strive in debate; dispute earnestly:

   to contend against falsehood.

   Synonyms: wrangle, argue

   Antonyms: agree

verb (used with object)

1. to assert or maintain earnestly:

   He contended that taxes were too high.

   Synonyms: claim, hold

contend

/ kənˈtɛnd /

verb

1. introften foll bywith to struggle in rivalry, battle, etc; vie
2. to argue earnestly; debate
3. tr; may take a clause as object to assert or maintain

Derived Forms

• conˈtender, noun
• conˈtendingly, adverb

Other Words From

• con·tend·er noun
• con·tend·ing·ly adverb
• non·con·tend·ing adjective
• pre·con·tend verb (used without object)
• re·con·tend verb (used without object)
• un·con·tend·ed adjective
• un·con·tend·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contend¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English contenden, from Anglo-French contendre, from Latin contendere “to compete, strive, draw tight,” equivalent to con- prefix meaning “with, together” + tendere “to stretch”; con-, tend ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of contend¹

C15: from Latin contendere to strive, from com- with + tendere to stretch, aim

Synonym Study

See compete.

Example Sentences

The Chargers need any help possible to contend not only with Chase, but also the potential return of wide receiver Tee Higgins.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the next four years, the incoming IOC president is likely to have to show diplomacy to contend with tensions between the US and China over a doping case involving 23 Chinese swimmers.

From BBC

This year’s box-office leader, “Inside Out 2,” has already brought in $1.7 billion worldwide and at the very least will contend for the animated film trophy.

From Los Angeles Times

In their 2020 book, "After Trump: Reconstructing the Presidency," they contend that “Donald Trump operated the presidency in ways that reveal its vulnerability to dangerous excesses of authority and dangerous weaknesses in accountability.”

From Salon

The autobiographical form is well-suited for articulating an “identity-aware” liberalism because those who write them must contend with the tension between the particularity of individual experience and the universality of sentiments and ideas that can connect us to each other, and possibly to every human being in the world.

From Salon

Related Words

• allege
• assert
• charge
• claim
• defend
• dispute
• insist
• maintain
• say
• tell
• urge