contend

[kuhn-tend]

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

verb (used with object)

1. to assert or maintain earnestly.

   He contended that taxes were too high.

   Synonyms: claim, hold

contend

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contend¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contend¹

C15: from Latin contendere to strive, from com- with + tendere to stretch, aim

Synonym Study

See compete.

Example Sentences

Other staples, including sweet potatoes and fresh fruit, cost more as the agriculture sector contends with tariffs and high costs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was a contrast to the criticisms lobbed at agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the past year that contended the data produced wasn’t up to snuff.

Read more on Barron's

But while recent history might be against his Trojans, Riley reminded this week that he’s not new to contending like this late in November.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Through the first part of November, they also were contending with a record-long government shutdown, which disrupted food aid, air travel and many federal workers’ paychecks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The foiaball.com story contended that Shelter 37 was used as a workaround for donor-advised funds that were in limbo.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• argue 
• confront 
• cope 
• dispute 
• go after 
• grapple 
• meet 
• oppose 
• push for www.thesaurus.com
• resist 
• vie