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

Patriots fans voiced confidence that Vrabel, in his first year as head coach, and MVP-contending quarterback Drake Maye, would do enough against the Chargers to move on to next week’s Divisional Round. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026

The company contends the town rejected the plan without citing any safety or health hazard. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026

But even that isn’t enough sometimes — see what Bednar helped steer the Avs through last season between injuries and a historic number of trades for a contending team. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026

In court filings and a hearing earlier Friday, the states contended that the government did not have a legal reason for holding back the money from those states. —Geoff Mulvihill, Twin Cities, 10 Jan. 2026

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