Definition of CONTEND

contend

Verb

Verb Forms: contended, contending, contends

  • To struggle in opposition; to compete or argue.
  • maintain or assert
    • "He contended that Communism had no future"
  • have an argument about something
  • to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
  • come to terms with
  • compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
  • be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
    • "Militant groups are contending for control of the country"
  • To be in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.
  • To struggle or exert oneself to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.
  • To be in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.
  • To believe (something is reasonable) and argue (for it); to advocate.
  • contend with: To try to cope with a difficulty or problem.

Examples

  • Both players would CONTEND fiercely for the triple word score in the final rounds.
  • In this paper the author contends that no useful results can be obtained if this method is used.

Origin / 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.

Scrabble Score: 10

contend: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
contend: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
contend: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

contend: valid Words With Friends Word