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”; 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

The Sparks are pushing to contend for a playoff spot this season after bringing back veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike and guards Ariel Atkins and Wheeler to build one of their deepest rosters in years.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Arsenal have a Champions League tie to contend with on Wednesday, but City's attention will now fully turn to next Sunday's meeting against Mikel Arteta's side with the tantalising prospect of further reducing the deficit.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Still, there could be other unresolved issues that investors may need to contend with over the coming weeks.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

But the Italian enjoyed the patronage of cardinals and popes; Noguchi had to contend with the likes of Robert Moses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Even when the technical issues were in hand, the launch team had to contend with the weather.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

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