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Contend

//kənˈtɛnd// verb

Definitions

Verb

1
To be in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight. intransitive
"The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle."
2
maintain or assert wordnet
3
To struggle or exert oneself to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend. intransitive
"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."
4
have an argument about something wordnet
5
To be in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue. intransitive
"these simple ideas are far from those innate principles which some contend for"

Show 6 more definitions

6
to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation wordnet
7
To believe (something is reasonable) and argue (for it); to advocate. intransitive
"In this paper the author contends that no useful results can be obtained if this method is used."
8
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others wordnet
9
To try to cope with a difficulty or problem.
"However, the challenges for the railway world are much greater than for automotive as we generally have more occupants, higher speeds, greater masses, higher energies, and an absence of seatbelts or airbags to contend with."
10
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight wordnet
11
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available wordnet

Etymology

From Middle English contenden, borrowed from Old French contendre, from Latin contendere (“to stretch out, extend, strive after, contend”), from com- (“together”) + tendere (“to stretch”); see tend, and compare attend, extend, intend, subtend.

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