contend

The word “contend” means to compete or struggle against someone or something. In plain terms, to compete for something, or to argue strongly that something is the case.

“Contend” is pronounced kuhn-TEHND (/kənˈtɛnd/ in IPA).

Here is “contend” used in a sentence: “Two runners were left to contend for the gold medal.”

“Contend” is a verb.

The word “contend” comes from Latin. From Old French contendre, from Latin contendere, "to stretch out, strive" — con- ("together") + tendere ("to stretch"), related to "tend," "extend," and "intend.".

“Contend” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Contend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to compete or struggle against someone or something.

"Contend" carries a sense of struggle or effort against opposition, which can be physical, competitive, or circumstantial, while "compete" more narrowly implies a formal contest with defined rules or rivals. "Contend with a problem" uses the struggle sense, whereas "compete in a race" is purely about rivalry.

Used in its second sense, "contend" means to argue firmly that something is true, often in a formal or reasoned way, such as in a debate or legal case. "Argue" is more general and can describe any kind of disagreement, including informal or heated exchanges.

Yes, "contend with" uses the first sense of the word, meaning to struggle or compete against something, as in "contend with bad weather." "Contend that" uses the second sense, meaning to argue firmly that a claim is true.