Contend

/kənˈtɛnd/ · verb

Meaning

(intransitive) To be in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To be in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.
2. (intransitive) To struggle or exert oneself to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.
3. (intransitive) To be in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.
4. (intransitive) To believe (something is reasonable) and argue (for it); to advocate.
5. To try to cope with a difficulty or problem. [with with]

Example Sentences

2011, Osaiah "Ike" Wilson III, James J.F. Forrest, Handbook of Defence Politics the armies of Syria and Lebanon lack the capability to contend with the Israeli army, as demonstrated during the course of the First Lebanon War.

The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle.

For never two such kingdoms did contend without much fall of blood.

17th century, John Dryden, Epistle III to the Lady Castlemain You sit above, and see vain men below / Contend for what you only can bestow.

God has entrusted something to the church, and it is the church's job to contend for it, even unto death

these simple ideas are far from those innate principles which some contend for

many of those things he so fiercely contended about , were either falle or trivial

In this paper the author contends that no useful results can be obtained if this method is used.

Synonyms for contend

Antonyms for contend

Related Words

Word Forms

• contends
• contending
• contended

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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