CONTEND (WITH) Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

contend (with)

verb

Definition of contend (with)

as in to address

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently a multitude of problems to contend with as soon as he returned to the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to oppose

to strive to reduce or eliminate medical missionaries who daily contend with disease and poverty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend (with)

Verb

The eFlyer 2 seeks to address both requirements through its electric powertrain and lightweight structure.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Asked by the judge how the settlement addresses the state AGs’ concerns over competition, as outlined in its antitrust case, Blizzard said the reasoning was that the states were wary about permanently blocking the Paramount-WBD deal.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of address

Verb

The floated consideration of the legislation comes after Jeffries opposed an amendment to an annual foreign affairs spending bill that aimed to cut off aid to Israel back in July, a measure more than 100 Democrats supported.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2026
Many in the local community have opposed the dam, even damaging bridges to prevent surveyors from entering the area.

— Mamita Bhandari, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of oppose

Verb

Alvarez managed to nab a foul pop-up behind the plate for the first out, but a fly ball to center field scored another run, and Abrams managed to get to third.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
Tehran has spent long weeks in discussions with Oman, on the other side of the strait, on how to manage shipping traffic.

— Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of manage

Verb

Seguin said the aircraft handled well during the first flight.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Fall might feel like the time for a long list of gardening tasks instead of new planting, but there are lots of leafy greens that retain their best flavor in cooler temperatures, and can even handle a surprise cold snap or two.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of handle

Verb

The withdrawal casts uncertainty over programs to combat HIV and other diseases in a country where shortages often force patients to bring basic supplies such as bandages to clinics and buy their own medicines.

— Farai Mutsaka, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
To combat money laundering, federal regulations require banks to report cash deposits of $10,000 or more.

— Mike Ryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of combat

Verb

Here again, negative energy densities are conceptually valid, but the question of whether humans could ever produce and manipulate them in the ways required to bring Alcubierre's warp drive into reality is another matter entirely.

— Micah Hanks, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Lashify founder Sahara Lotti said his ability to manipulate the brand’s lashes and create different eye shapes first caught her attention through his work with Zendaya.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

Take down the fence when the season opens and take your toll.

— Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
Martha and her mother Maria Alberto Gonzalez and his wife, Catalina Gonzalez, remember taking two buses and a train from their home on the North Side to get to the restaurant in the late 1960s.

— Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of take

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

contends (with)

contend (with)

content

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contend (with).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend%20%28with%29. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of contend (with)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

argot

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes