contend
verb
\
Definition of contend
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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for contend
Synonyms
affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, claim, declare, insist, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant
Antonyms
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Examples of contend in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Trump administration has contended that many of the regulations introduced after the financial crisis a decade ago to make banks stronger have held back lending and weighed on the wider economy. — Emily Flitter, New York Times, "Bank Earnings Climb in Growing Economy, but Lending Doesn’t Keep Pace," 13 July 2018 Defense attorneys have long contended that prosecutors went too far in pursuing cases against more than 200 people. — Keith L. Alexander, chicagotribune.com, "Federal prosecutors dismiss all remaining Inauguration Day rioting cases," 7 July 2018 Defense attorneys have long contended that prosecutors went too far in pursuing cases against more than 200 people. — Washington Post, BostonGlobe.com, "Federal prosecutors dismiss all remaining Inauguration Day rioting cases," 6 July 2018 Defense attorneys have long contended that prosecutors went too far in pursuing cases against more than 200 people. — Keith L. Alexander, latimes.com, "Federal prosecutors dismiss all remaining Inauguration Day rioting cases," 6 July 2018 Legislative leaders have contended the bill does not appropriate state funds, and as such required only a majority of members who voted to have voted for it — so long as at least two-fifths of each chamber's members voted yes. — Thomas Novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky's pension reform law was ruled unconstitutional: What to know," 21 June 2018 Woods has contended a few times in his nine events this year. — Joe Juliano, Philly.com, "Tiger Woods looking to put the pieces together in this week's U.S. Open," 12 June 2018 Glady has contended that the agency does not profit off JPay's services. — Ben Conarck, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Florida prisons add for-profit services, consider visitation cuts," 10 June 2018 Since Matthew’s death, DCF has contended that Katiria Tirado repeatedly refused the department’s help and barred anyone from seeing her son. — Nicholas Rondinone, courant.com, "Mother Of Autistic Teen, Matthew Tirado, Who Died After Being Denied Food Gets 11 Years In Prison," 5 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for contend
contend
verb
English Language Learners Definition of contend
: to argue or state (something) in a strong and definite way
: to compete with someone or for something : to compete with a good chance of winning
See the full definition for contend in the English Language Learners Dictionary
contend
verb
\
Kids Definition of contend
1 : compete contend for a prize
2 : to try hard to deal with He has many problems to contend with.
3 : to argue or state earnestly She contends the test was unfair.
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