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

Only two other drivers were even close enough to Larson to contend to take home the title. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026

To shoot their Oscar-contending film Still Standing, directors Víctor Tadashi Suárez and Livia Albeck-Ripka donned hazmat suits – for good reason. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2026

Opponents contend the restrictions discriminate against transgender students and could subject girls to intrusive medical verification. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

The plaintiff contends those conditions made the company’s financial guidance unrealistic and its public statements materially misleading, according to the firm’s summary. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 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