contend

American  

[kuhn-tend] / kənˈtɛnd /

verb (used without object)

• contends,
  present (3rd person singular)
• contended,
  past participle,  past
• contending
  present participle

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)

• contends,
  present (3rd person singular)
• contended,
  past participle,  past
• contending
  present participle

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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Synonym Usage

See compete.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

• contending
  present
• contended
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• contend
  simple
• contends
  simple
• have contended
  perfect
• has contended
  perfect
• am contending
  progressive
• are contending
  progressive
• is contending
  progressive
• have been contending
  perfect progressive
• has been contending
  perfect progressive

Past

• contended
  simple
• had contended
  perfect
• was contending
  progressive
• were contending
  progressive
• had been contending
  perfect progressive

Future

• will contend
  simple
• will have contended
  perfect
• will be contending
  progressive
• will have been contending
  perfect progressive

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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

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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

See Examples For:

contend contends contended contending

Once the leader of and undisputed standard-bearer for the TV-to-digital shift, the streaming pioneer has had to publicly contend with various moments of weakness throughout this year.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

Beyond staff shortages, teachers and pupils must also contend with crumbling school buildings, which a 2023 Senate report estimated would require billions of euros to renovate and adapt to a changing climate.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

He had been expected to contend for three medals in the team sprint, individual sprint and keirin.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

To be sure, charging providers also have a long way to go to reach consistent profitability as they contend with high capital costs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026

Addie: Yes, I contend that every act of conscience makes a difference.

From "The Misfits" by James Howe

Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is leaving the company as it contends with slowing growth and falling customer engagement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

It also contends that its messaging and image-sharing apps should not have to face additional requirements under the OSA, such as tackling paid-for fraud ads.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Retail investors, too, are poised to increase their buying of stocks and options after pulling in their horns during September, he contends.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

Bass contends the project already is producing results, helping the city book major conventions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

No responsible person contends that insect-borne disease should be ignored.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

She also contended that substantial FBI resources were diverted to such probes, and that she was retaliated against for questioning their legality.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Investment firm executives had long contended that they were largely exempt from that tax.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

Telematics had the potential to offer the lowest premiums for drivers with spotty driving records who improved their driving habits, but opponents contended it violated Proposition 103, the 1988 initiative that regulates auto rates.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

He contended that these banks were “basically getting a little bit of the gross spread revenue … in return for an understanding that their analyst would cover the company typically with a buy recommendation.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

“You can’t stop publishing if someone sends you a telegram,” Goodale contended.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Wolfinger is also contending with sky-high diesel costs, with some equipment going through 400-gallon tanks a day.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

Supreme Court has repeatedly turned down appeals contending such executions amount to “cruel and unusual punishment,” which is barred under U.S. law.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

Builders indicated that they are contending with higher costs when it comes to new-home construction.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

Kalshi has been the target of litigation challenging prediction markets, contending that they’re just gambling with investment-sounding terminology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

The sculptor watched the athletes contending in the games and he felt that nothing he could imagine would be as beautiful as those strong young bodies.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

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Related Words

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

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