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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.

Automakers have had a torrid time as they contend with a muted transition to electric vehicles, U.S. tariffs and a tough Chinese market characterized by intense competition and a new luxury tax policy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Paramount will have to contend with an estimated $79 billion in debt, prompting fears about more layoffs to come in an industry already hammered by years of cutbacks.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“We continue to contend that actual transit levels through the waterway will remain significantly depressed given that Iran is insisting vessels must coordinate with its military or face destruction,” she wrote in a Wednesday note.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

That’s because the loan market doesn’t have to contend with just software and its artificial-intelligence risk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

They all had a bigger problem to contend with.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz