WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
con•tend /kənˈtɛnd/USA pronunciation
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to struggle in competition;
compete: [~ + for + object]to contend for first prize.[~ + against/with + object]She contended against the opposition. - [~ + that clause] to declare;
assert or say earnestly;
claim: She contended that taxes were too high.
con•tend
(kən tend′),USA pronunciation v.i.
v.t.
con•tend′er, n.
con•tend′ing•ly, adv.
- to struggle in opposition:to contend with the enemy for control of the port.
- to strive in rivalry;
compete;
vie:to contend for first prize. - to strive in debate;
dispute earnestly:to contend against falsehood.
v.t.
- to assert or maintain earnestly:He contended that taxes were too high.
- Latin contendere to compete, strive, draw tight, equivalent. to con- con- + tendere to stretch; see tend1
- Anglo-French contendre
- late Middle English contenden 1400–50
con•tend′ing•ly, adv.
- 1. wrestle, grapple, battle, fight. 2. See compete. 3. argue, wrangle. 4. hold, claim.
- 3. agree.
'contender' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):