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

Trade tensions with the West and economic concerns have made consumers weary, while automakers have also had to contend with a long-running price war among domestic manufacturers as they vie for customers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Slow home-price growth will likely come as good news to aspiring home buyers, who’ve been contending with swiftly rising home prices in recent years.

Read more on MarketWatch

Slow home-price growth will likely come as good news to aspiring home buyers, who’ve been contending with swiftly rising home prices in recent years.

Read more on MarketWatch

He never contended for the lead and ran mostly midpack or near the back.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

While Sheridan’s shows about tough men contending with a changing world appeal to red-state audiences, he did not want to get overtly political.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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