verb
Uncommon
contend
kuhn-TEHND
Contend (verb) means to compete or struggle against someone or something. Example: “Two runners were left to contend for the gold medal.”
verb
1
To compete or struggle against someone or something.
"Two runners were left to contend for the gold medal."
2
To argue firmly that something is true.
"Lawyers for the defense contend that the evidence was mishandled."
How to use contend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo compete for something, or to argue strongly that something is the case.
Common pairings
contend with
contend for the title
contend that
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- contends
- Past tense
- contended
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Two runners were left to _____ for the gold medal.
Etymology
From Old French contendre, from Latin contendere, "to stretch out, strive" — con- ("together") + tendere ("to stretch"), related to "tend," "extend," and "intend."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “contend” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “contend”?
“Contend” is pronounced kuhn-TEHND (/kənˈtɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “contend” in a sentence?
Here is “contend” used in a sentence: “Two runners were left to contend for the gold medal.”
What part of speech is “contend”?
“Contend” is a verb.
Where does the word “contend” come from?
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.".
Is “contend” a common word?
“Contend” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “contend” have?
“Contend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to compete or struggle against someone or something.
What is the difference between "contend" and "compete"?
"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.
What is the difference between "contend" and "argue"?
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.
Does "contend with" mean something different from "contend that"?
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.
