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
  • Other officeholders who are recalled, like lawmakers or other statewide officeholders, would be replaced using existing rules for addressing vacancies — either by appointment or through a special election.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2026
  • This is essential to regain our global influence, end unnecessary risks to our service members and ensure our government can address Americans’ needs at home.
    — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of address
Verb
  • These people eventually were able to think outside opposing viewpoints.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The proposal would face resistance from congressional Republicans, private insurers, and others opposed to fundamentally restructuring the country’s healthcare system.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of oppose
Verb
  • The Rams still managed to rack up 513 yards of offense on the Broncos, including several big plays in which a Rams receiver was wide open, or several Bronco defenders missed tackles that turned a short gain into a big play.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2026
  • And our research at Xero shows that owners spend nearly 22 hours a month on finance alone—just tracking and managing money.
    — Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • Dado is, though, as dedicated an avant-guardist as Chicago theater has seen, and there are times when that impulse to lean into symbolism fights a play heavily reliant on empathy and realism.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Decisions on how to fight the Knowles fire were driven by the desire to prevent the spread of cheatgrass and protect sage-grouse habitat and a downwind community, the report said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of fight
Verb
  • Simulation software then generates variations of the demonstrations to help the robot handle minor differences in working conditions.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2026
  • The next two years will be defined by how his administration handles a muscular Democratic opposition.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of handle
Verb
  • Opponents argue the expansion would significantly increase carbon emissions and undermine Massachusetts' efforts to combat climate change.
    — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • In other words, far away from shoreline trash traps and volunteer beach cleanups that tend to be the focus of efforts to combat plastic pollution.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of combat
Verb
  • Rather than relying on separate mechanisms for navigating terrain and manipulating objects, the robots can use their flexible bodies and gripping claws to perform both functions.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • These included being able to carry out cyberattacks at huge scale, manipulating politics, controlling robotics and drones, design of even smarter AI that outpaces human understanding, and even novel weapons development.
    — Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • The United States has taken another significant step towards strengthening its military installations.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The Monarchs were clinging to a 21-20 lead in the second set when Matavao took control, hammering spikes for her team’s last four points.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 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.

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contends (with)
contend (with)
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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 15 Nov. 2026.

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