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

These kinds of legal tools can be empowering for voters of color in all states, voting rights advocates contend. —Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 6 Dec. 2024

It is based in part, on grounds that charges in the indictment are unconstitutional since the charges are based on the exit tax regime which Ver contends is itself unconstitutional. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Straus contends that the Nature Conservancy’s goal is to remove all of the dairies and ranches from the park by buying out their leases. —Richard Halstead, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024

If the Cubs are serious about contending in 2025, Miller and Langeliers seem like savvy additions. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

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

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