contend
Americanverb (used without object)
-
contends,
present (3rd person singular)
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contended,
past participle, past
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contending
present participle
verb (used with object)
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contends,
present (3rd person singular)
-
contended,
past participle, past
-
contending
present participle
verb
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to struggle in rivalry, battle, etc; vie
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to argue earnestly; debate
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(tr; may take a clause as object) to assert or maintain
Synonym Usage
See compete.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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contendernoun
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precontendverb (used without object)
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recontendverb (used without object)
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noncontendingadjective
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uncontendedadjective
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uncontendingadjective
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contendinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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contendsimple
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contendssimple
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have contendedperfect
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has contendedperfect
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am contendingprogressive
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are contendingprogressive
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is contendingprogressive
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have been contendingperfect progressive
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has been contendingperfect progressive
Past
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contendedsimple
-
had contendedperfect
-
was contendingprogressive
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were contendingprogressive
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had been contendingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing contend
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Once the leader of and undisputed standard-bearer for the TV-to-digital shift, the streaming pioneer has had to publicly contend with various moments of weakness throughout this year.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026
Beyond staff shortages, teachers and pupils must also contend with crumbling school buildings, which a 2023 Senate report estimated would require billions of euros to renovate and adapt to a changing climate.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
The push into high-end corporate travel comes as Uber and Lyft contend with investor worries about whether the rise of autonomous vehicles will upend their businesses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
The 27-year-old, who had also been expected to contend for medals in the individual sprint and keirin, said he would co-operate with a British Cycling investigation into the allegations.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
If the union could bring all workers together, it would be a powerful force to contend with.
From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is leaving the company as it contends with slowing growth and falling customer engagement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
It also contends that its messaging and image-sharing apps should not have to face additional requirements under the OSA, such as tackling paid-for fraud ads.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Retail investors, too, are poised to increase their buying of stocks and options after pulling in their horns during September, he contends.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
Raman contends that Bass is simply a bad manager, pointing to those crises and other problems facing the city.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
The Internet is replete with novelty and variability,” he contends.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
Over the last three years, corporate tech leaders have contended with a host of barriers to executing on their AI transformation ambitions, but the latest challenge might prove to be the most difficult yet.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
Chávez contended that families required stability before their children could take advantage of school, and a union was the first step, according to Chatfield.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
Defense attorneys argued she did so in the midst of severe postpartum psychosis, while prosecutors contended she acted with clear intent.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
They also contended it included the nation’s strictest data privacy protections and noted how participation would be voluntary, similar to how it is offered in other states.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Now she, who had been impatient once, and violent, who had cursed and shouted and contended like a man, moved into silence, contending only, and with the last measure of her strength, with God.
From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin
Wolfinger is also contending with sky-high diesel costs, with some equipment going through 400-gallon tanks a day.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
“For mayors, it’s always been more about contending with, rather than controlling the NYPD,” said Bagga.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
The couple began dating in 2023 after meeting at the MTV Video Music Awards a year prior, where they were both contending for best new artist — Cameron took home the prize.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
Builders indicated that they are contending with higher costs when it comes to new-home construction.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026
Now she, who had been impatient once, and violent, who had cursed and shouted and contended like a man, moved into silence, contending only, and with the last measure of her strength, with God.
From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
