contend

verb

con·​tend kən-ˈtend How to pronounce contend (audio)
contended; contending; contends

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The club put him on waivers last season but no contending clubs bit. Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025 At the meeting, housing advocates contended that the county‘s waiver proposal would slash too many restrictions, bypassing laws aimed at solving the region’s affordable housing crisis. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2025 The page contends that students would feel minimal effects of a split, as most would remain in the feeder patterns in which they are currently enrolled. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2025 Using a 1981 ruling over a legislative district that was struck down by the state Supreme Court for violating the compactness requirement, the House GOP contends 52 current district boundaries violate the same principle. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for contend 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contenden, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contendre, going back to Latin contendere "to draw tight, strain, make an effort, strive, compete," from con- con- + tendere "to extend outward, stretch, spread out, aim (at a purpose)" — more at tender entry 3

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of contend was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near contend

Cite this Entry

“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contend. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

contend

verb
con·​tend kən-ˈtend How to pronounce contend (audio)
1
2
: to try hard to deal with
many problems to contend with
3
: to argue or state earnestly
contend that my opinion is right
contender noun

More from Merriam-Webster on contend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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