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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.

Yet many economists contend the core rate of inflation is likely to begin to ease after March or April and start tracking toward 2.5%.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Companies will have to address in their proposals how they will contend with energy costs and workforce needs; they can send American workers overseas or hire locally, Helberg said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Aside from watching for Iran-related headlines, Wall Street has to contend with the start of first-quarter earnings seasons, which is dominated by financial companies.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

"If it was one guy five ahead, it's almost an easier thing to contend with, because there's a bit more help."

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

And now there was something else to contend with, something that to Don’s way of thinking was disappointing but somehow inevitable.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

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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