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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Synonym Usage

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”; see con-, tend ¹

Explanation

To defend a belief or keep affirming that it's true is to contend. People used to contend that the earth was flat, but eventually, when no one dropped off the edge no matter how far they traveled, the "round" theory won. One of the meanings of contend is from the French "to strive with," and it is a literal fighting, as in "to contend with fists." Most contemporary uses of the verb contend illustrate competitions of proof or defense, where a person will contend that something is true, or better, or wrong. It is still a striving but more of a verbal kind, where what you contend is what you hope to convince others is correct.

Example Sentences

When depictions of manhood contend with the real-life environment outside the movie theater, they can help us put words to the immaterial feelings we don’t always have the time or energy to parse ourselves.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

The combined company would have to contend with $79 billion in deal debt.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

But outside of earnings season, investors must contend with worries about the Iran conflict, higher oil prices and the risk that renewed inflation pressures could complicate the Federal Reserve’s path on interest rates.

From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026

Ray is part of a team reporting on what the current crop of graduating seniors encounter as they job-hunt and contend with an AI revolution that’s overhauling the nature of work.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

“Some would contend that this confession would obviate the need for a lengthy trial,” she said in a cold, heartless voice that made Finn miss the real Ms. Morales.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

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