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”; 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

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

Wall Street will be closely watching as analysts contend with concerns that hyperscalers may slow down spending on Nvidia chips.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

“We contend that investors will have a growing number of proof points that AV supply in the US will not become a concentrated market dominated by only 1-2 players,” they say.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Few would contend that Lerner and Loewe’s “Brigadoon” and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Flower Drum Song” represent the best work of these legendary duos.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

She had Mrs. Caruthers and her linens to contend with, and it would be her first time doing it all by herself.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Related Words

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