Synonyms

contend

American

[kuhn-tend] / kənˈtɛnd /

verb (used without object)

to struggle in opposition.

to contend with the enemy for control of the port.

Synonyms:

fight, battle, grapple, wrestle
to strive in rivalry; compete; vie.

to contend for first prize.
to strive in debate; dispute earnestly.

to contend against falsehood.

Synonyms:

wrangle, argue

Antonyms:

agree

verb (used with object)

to assert or maintain earnestly.

He contended that taxes were too high.

Synonyms:

claim, hold

contend British

/ kənˈtɛnd /

verb

to struggle in rivalry, battle, etc; vie
to argue earnestly; debate
(tr; may take a clause as object) to assert or maintain

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The insurance department contends that policyholder complaints are confidential, even for those filing the complaint.

From Los Angeles Times

Wharton researchers contend this could reduce investment in private productive capital.

From Barron's

Join us as CEOs, policymakers and innovators sit down with our journalists to contend with the future and answer the most pressing questions of the day.

From The Wall Street Journal

Saracens were relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2019–20 season following persistent salary cap breaches, bringing more adversity for Itoje to contend with.

From BBC

Even as companies contend with tariffs and lingering economic uncertainty, industry leaders say they are better positioned than they were a year ago.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023