contend

UK: /kənˈtɛnd/ US: /kənˈtɛnd/ ,(kən tend′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•tend /kənˈtɛnd/   v. 

1. to struggle in competition;
   compete: [~ + for + object]
   to contend for first prize.
   [~ + against/with + object]
   She contended against the opposition.
2. [~ + that clause] to declare;
   assert or say earnestly;
   claim:
   She contended that taxes were too high.

con•tend•er, n. 

[countable] He was a contender for the heavyweight crown.

See -tend-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•tend  (kən tend′), v.i. 

1. to struggle in opposition:
   to contend with the enemy for control of the port.
2. to strive in rivalry;
   compete;
   vie:
   to contend for first prize.
3. to strive in debate;
   dispute earnestly:
   to contend against falsehood.

v.t. 

4. to assert or maintain earnestly:
   He contended that taxes were too high.

• Latin contendere to compete, strive, draw tight, equivalent. to con- con- + tendere to stretch; see tend¹
• Anglo-French contendre
• late Middle English contenden 1400–50

con•tend′er, n. 
con•tend′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. wrestle, grapple, battle, fight.
• 2. See compete. 
• 3. argue, wrangle.
• 4. hold, claim.

Antonyms

• 3. agree.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

contend / kənˈtɛnd/ verb

1. (intransitive) often followed by with: to struggle in rivalry, battle, etc; vie
2. to argue earnestly; debate
3. (tr; may take a clause as object) to assert or maintain

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin contendere to strive, from com- with + tendere to stretch, aim

conˈtender noun