contend (with)

verb

Definition of contend (with)next
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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)
  1. address
  2. oppose
  3. manage
  4. fight
  5. handle
  6. combat
  7. manipulate
  8. take
Verb
  • So far, none of those efforts has been successful, and opponents say hunting would do little to address the most problematic bears that tend to live closer to residential neighborhoods.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Democratic Party is focused on making sure the federal government addresses the needs of the country and its people, as only the federal government can do.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of address
Verb
  • Friday provided a brief but clear reminder of what kind of headache that could be for opposing defensive coordinators.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But that also will be two months after the Bucks play in Miami, when Giannis will be in opposing colors for the first time in his career.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppose
Verb
  • Shielded from the elements and stocked with comforting amenities, this hotel manages to feel like part of the national park.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Leeds United’s goalkeeper does not manage his social media accounts but his friends have kept him informed of the feverish reaction to his arrival.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • The 63-year-old was born in the central city of Esfahan and volunteered to fight in the Iraq-Iran war as a teenager, along with tens of thousands of young Iranians.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Pathogens are microorganisms known to cause numerous diseases in their host, meaning Bifidobacterium animalis may help fight certain diseases.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of fight
Verb
  • The lawsuit argued that the new rules incorrectly preempt states’ powers to regulate how the interest generated by mortgage escrow accounts is handled.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Zaslav’s latest sale of 773,173 shares of WBD stock, for an aggregate market value of $21,655,292, was handled on his behalf by Fidelity Brokerage Services, according to a company filing with the SEC Thursday.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of handle
Verb
  • Many contain Bifidobacterium longum, known for effectively combating gastrointestinal symptoms.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Officials have recently begun to mull raising rates to combat inflation, but that calculus could change if economic figures show the labor market might be the greater problem.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of combat
Verb
  • Hilariously, the players figure out that they were manipulated on the unanimous Sam vote, and collectively decide that was the top-level metagame.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The department has been further beleaguered by concerns that leaders manipulated crime statistics to boost its image.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • In January, Manchester City’s signings of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, the best players at Bournemouth and Crystal Palace respectively, took the 2025-26 tally to 13.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The animals are safe, but their home took a direct hit that left parts of the zoo unrecognizable.
    — Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 12 Aug. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Contend (with).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend%20%28with%29. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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