contend with

1 to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently a multitude of problems to contend with as soon as he returned to the office Synonyms address, handle (with), cope (with), field, grapple (with), hack, manage, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, play, swing, take, treatRelated Words engineer, finesse, jockey; bring off, carry off, carry out, get off, pull; command, direct, guide, steer; control, micromanage, regulate, run; react (to), respond (to)Near Antonyms botch, bungle, foozle, fumble, goof (up), louse up, mess (up), mishandle, muff, scamp

2 to strive to reduce or eliminate medical missionaries who daily contend with disease and poverty Synonyms battle, combat, fight (with), counter, oppose, oppugnRelated Words baffle, checkmate, foil, frustrate, resist, thwart, withstand; confront, defy, face, meetNear Antonyms abide, bear, endure, suffer; advocate, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support, upholdAntonyms advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote