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contend

verb
con·​tend | \ kÉ™n-ˈtend How to pronounce contend (audio) \
contended; contending; contends

Definition of contend

intransitive verb

1 : to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties : struggle contended with the problems of municipal government will contend for the championship this year
2 : to strive in debate : argue

transitive verb

1 : maintain, assert contended that he was right contends that the new law would help only the wealthy
2 : to struggle for : contest She contended every point, objected to every request …— Margaret Mead
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about contend

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Examples of contend in a Sentence

These people contend that they have earned the right to the land. The team is expected to contend for the championship this year.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Hazelgrove contends the haircuts were not about conforming to white standards as some of her critics have suggested. — NBC News, "Head of charity backed by NFL and Jay-Z's Roc Nation apologizes for dreadlock cutting," 7 Sep. 2019 Additionally, the Attorney General contends that Westminster has committed hundreds of violations when in fact there are only 2 outstanding concerns voiced by him. — Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, "Jared Kushner’s apartment company says it rejects deal with Maryland attorney general over rental practices," 4 Sep. 2019 However, the key to contending in any fantasy league is selecting a running back who will post a breakout season. — oregonlive, "Fantasy Football 2019: Former Oregon Duck Royce Freeman among 10 sleepers at running back," 2 Sep. 2019 Except for the spectacular punting of Max Duffy and the ability of UK receivers to adjust to and compete for balls in flight, there wasn’t much to suggest this is a team capable of contending in the Southeastern Conference. — Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky football's Josh Paschal out of cancer treatment, back to creating turnovers," 31 Aug. 2019 Google contends that the hard deadline produces the best results. — Taylor Telford, Anchorage Daily News, "Google researchers uncover iPhone hack tied to malicious websites," 30 Aug. 2019 Her attorneys have contended that, among other things, the @AOC Twitter account isn’t the representative’s official government account, which resembles an argument Trump unsuccessfully made. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "AOC gets schooled by the same free-speech advocates that sued Donald Trump," 29 Aug. 2019 But Mattis contends that the current political environment is not because of Mr. Trump alone. — Emily Tillett, CBS News, "James Mattis says he had "no choice" but to leave Trump administration," 29 Aug. 2019 Heading into the 2019 season, all 12 teams are ready to contend in their respective districts. — Alvaro Montano, Houston Chronicle, "CFISD football teams set to kick off 2019 season," 23 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of contend

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

History and Etymology for contend

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French contendre, from Latin contendere, from com- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

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More Definitions for contend

contend

verb
How to pronounce contend (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of contend

: to argue or state (something) in a strong and definite way
: to compete with someone or for something : to compete with a good chance of winning

See the full definition for contend in the English Language Learners Dictionary

contend

verb
con·​tend | \ kÉ™n-ˈtend How to pronounce contend (audio) \
contended; contending

Kids Definition of contend

1 : compete contend for a prize
2 : to try hard to deal with He has many problems to contend with.
3 : to argue or state earnestly She contends the test was unfair.

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More from Merriam-Webster on contend

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with contend

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for contend

Spanish Central: Translation of contend

Nglish: Translation of contend for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of contend for Arabic Speakers

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