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 of contend

• compete

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

Often the player demands a trade, whether owing to clashes with the coaching staff, testy contract negotiations, or a desire to play for a team in a better position to contend for a championship. —Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2025

Every contending team, no matter how deep its bullpen is, can use another elite reliever, and Williams is one of the more intriguing names in free agency. —Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025

The tribes contend that two of Kalshi’s advertisements violate the Lanham Act, which prohibits false advertising. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Nov. 2025

That devastating reality underpins the Academy Award-contending documentary short All the Empty Rooms, directed by Joshua Seftel (Oscar nominated for 2023’s Stranger at the Gate), which peers into the void left by the young victims of these shootings. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Nov. 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