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View synonyms for

contend

[ kuhn-tend ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to struggle in opposition:

    to contend with the enemy for control of the port.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  2. to strive in rivalry; compete; vie:

    to contend for first prize.

  3. to strive in debate; dispute earnestly:

    to contend against falsehood.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:



verb (used with object)

  1. to assert or maintain earnestly:

    He contended that taxes were too high.

    Synonyms: ,

contend

/ əˈɛԻ /

verb

  1. introften foll bywith to struggle in rivalry, battle, etc; vie
  2. to argue earnestly; debate
  3. tr; may take a clause as object to assert or maintain
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • DzˈٱԻ, noun
  • DzˈٱԻ徱Բ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • Dz·ٱԻ· noun
  • Dz·ٱԻ·Բ· adverb
  • ԴDz·Dz·ٱԻ·Բ adjective
  • ·Dz·ٱԻ verb (used without object)
  • ·Dz·ٱԻ verb (used without object)
  • ܲ·Dz·ٱԻ· adjective
  • ܲ·Dz·ٱԻ·Բ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of contend1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English contenden, from Anglo-French contendre, from Latin contendere “to compete, strive, draw tight,” equivalent to con- prefix meaning “with, together” + tendere “to stretch”; con-, tend 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of contend1

C15: from Latin contendere to strive, from com- with + tendere to stretch, aim
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Synonym Study

See compete.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“There’s a lot at stake for Joe,” said McClarnon, whose Navajo police lieutenant contends with marital discord, childhood trauma and a pesky FBI investigation.

From

"The Government contends that this is all okay because the mother wishes that the child be deported with her," Doughty wrote.

From

Jake Lang, who spent years in jail while contending with multiple charges for violence during the Capitol riot, is making a racist spectacle of a high school murder case in Texas.

From

I suppose you can’t see, what there isn’t time for, is to show him contending in real time with it.

From

House Republicans who have been pressed about their position have contended, despite a contrary view from experts, that the Trump cuts can be executed without taking services from Medicaid recipients.

From

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contemptuouslycontender