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

Talma, a 6-foot, 175-pounder has track speed and is part of the Hornets state-championship contending 400-meter relay team. —Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026

In turn, the smaller-budget A’s would be more likely to contend for playoff berths. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

The other issue was justifying a large commercial project outside the UDB when county planning staff contend there is enough industrial real estate available within the development zone that Kelly could purchase for its new headquarters. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Those who identify Elise as Malfatti contend that Nohl simply misread Beethoven’s handwriting of the name Therese. —Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 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