contend
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
-
to struggle in rivalry, battle, etc; vie
-
to argue earnestly; debate
-
(tr; may take a clause as object) to assert or maintain
Synonym Usage
See compete.
Other Word Forms
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.
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
Ocean carriers must also contend with rocket and drone attacks as well as navigation risks from poorly maintained shadow-fleet tankers that try to hide their locations and identities.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
Investors will need to contend with these risks once they return from the Memorial Day weekend.
From MarketWatch • May 24, 2026
But Yoyo would get rid of the goose only to have to contend with the gander.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions 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.
