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

Even if the Rockies aren't expected to contend this season, fans say that doesn't change their mindset. —Tori Mason, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

The container shipping company and some of its competitors contend that the 30-day notice period required before carriers can implement these surcharges should be scrapped. —Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026

Critics contend that dynamic pricing, service fees, and revenue-sharing arrangements can contribute to rising ticket costs. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

Some might contend that this seeming implausibility is very much to the film’s point, insofar as many shooters’ identities have taken their communities by surprise. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 2 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