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Definitions

contend

[kuhn-tend] / kənˈtɛnd /
VERB
compete, fight
Synonyms
STRONGEST
argue confront cope dispute go after grapple meet oppose push for resist vie
STRONG
battle clash contest controvert emulate encounter face jostle litigate oppugn push rival skirmish stand strive struggle tug withstand
WEAK
give all one's got give one's all go for go for broke go for it go for jugular have at jockey for position knock oneself out lock horns make play for mix it up with scramble for shoot at shoot for tangle with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agree comply go along
STRONG
hide make peace retreat surrender yield
WEAK
abandon cede desert give in give up leave
VERB
claim, assert
Synonyms
STRONGEST
allege assert charge claim defend dispute insist maintain say tell urge
STRONG
affirm aver avow blast cross debate dictate enjoin hold justify mix prescribe report rip vindicate warrant zap
WEAK
come at fly in face of gang up on go at have at have bone to pick jump on lace into lay into let have it light into lock horns with mix it up put up argument set to sock it to one stick it to take on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deny desert forget question
STRONG
divide separate unmix
WEAK
abandon cede give in give up leave retreat surrender

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tottenham and West Ham have to contend with similar run-ins, with Spurs arguably facing the slightly easier of the two.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

The Braves are off to a good start in 2026 as they lead the National League East with an 18-8 record and are a good bet to contend for the league pennant.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Even couples who make it well into a marriage contend with all the perils born from romance gone stale, including the functional discord clumsily realized in the sight-gag metaphor of “The Miniature Wife.”

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

Chief Executive Scott Kirby said the company made tactical adjustments to contend with $340 million in higher fuel prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

I had plenty of my own documents to contend with.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Vocabulary lists containing contend

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5

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