contend

verb

con·​tend kən-ˈtend 

contended; contending; contends

intransitive verb

1

: to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties : struggle

contended with the problems of municipal government

will contend for the championship this year

2

: to strive in debate : argue

transitive verb

1

: maintain, assert

contended that he was right

contends that the new law would help only the wealthy

2

: to struggle for : contest

She contended every point, objected to every request …

—Margaret Mead

Synonyms

• battle
• compete
• face off
• fight
• race
• rival
• vie

Examples of contend in a Sentence

These people contend that they have earned the right to the land.

The team is expected to contend for the championship this year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Newsmax also contended that what Kelly said was protected opinion. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025

The pro-Trump side contends that Barrett’s facial expression and body language connote hostility, though such an interpretation is, at best, in the eye of the beholder. —Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025

McIlroy has contended before, but even his final round 81 in 2012 still looms. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Wolfers contended that firms will likely not announce plans to set up their factories in the U.S. as long as the uncertainty and instability Trump has started continues. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contenden, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contendre, going back to Latin contendere "to draw tight, strain, make an effort, strive, compete," from con- con- + tendere "to extend outward, stretch, spread out, aim (at a purpose)" — more at tender entry 3

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing contend

• a lot to contend with
• contend with

Rhymes for contend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• defend
• depend
• descend

Kids Definition

contend

verb

con·​tend kən-ˈtend 

1

: compete

2

: to try hard to deal with

many problems to contend with

3

: to argue or state earnestly

contend that my opinion is right

contender noun