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

The company also contends that the New Milford facility would go a long way to protecting Connecticut’s energy supply against periods when solar or wind generators are not productive. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2026

With the Sharks still in a rebuild and out of the playoff picture in recent years, general manager Mike Grier has opted not to re-sign several pending UFAs, instead sending them to contending teams, mainly for draft picks and prospects, before the trade deadline. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026

The analyst contends that sustained top-line demand and the possibility for further margin expansion, as reflected in the company’s Q1 FY26 results, are not yet fully valued by the market. —Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 4 Jan. 2026

Critics contend that universities that have taken the most Qatari money have seen the greatest upticks in anti-Israel and antisemitic activity. —Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 3 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