contend

American  

[kuhn-tend] / kənˈtɛnd /

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

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verb (used with object)

1. to assert or maintain earnestly.

   He contended that taxes were too high.

   Synonyms:

   claim, hold

contend British  

/ kənˈtɛnd /

verb

1. to struggle in rivalry, battle, etc; vie

2. to argue earnestly; debate

3. (tr; may take a clause as object) to assert or maintain

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Related Words

See compete.

Other Word Forms

• contender noun
• contendingly adverb
• noncontending adjective
• precontend verb (used without object)
• recontend verb (used without object)
• uncontended adjective
• uncontending adjective

Etymology

Origin of contend

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

Example Sentences

Construction crews in the Himalayas have to contend with landslides, avalanches and extreme weather.

From The Wall Street Journal

But it is increasingly contending with new entrants including Google and Amazon.com, and some of Nvidia’s big customers such as OpenAI and Meta Platforms are starting to design their own custom chips.

From The Wall Street Journal

AMC has had a tough month as shareholders contend with mergers that could shake up the theater industry and a disappointing year for the box office.

From Barron's

Meanwhile, she contended, she was struggling to stay afloat on the several thousand dollars in monthly spousal support that the court temporarily awarded her as the proceedings stretched on for more than two years.

From Los Angeles Times

And now, theater owners are contending with another concern on the horizon: a potential deal for Warner Bros.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• argue
• confront
• cope
• dispute
• go after
• grapple
• meet
• oppose
• push for
• resist
• vie