To strive in opposition or against difficulties; struggle: armies contending for control of strategic territory; had to contend with long lines at the airport.
To compete, as in a race; vie.
To strive in controversy or debate; dispute. See Synonyms at discuss.
v.
tr.
To maintain or assert: The defense contended that the evidence was inadmissible.
[Middle English contenden, from Latin contendere : com-, com- + tendere, to stretch, strive; see ten- in Indo-European roots.]
to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation; "They contested the outcome of the race" [syn: contest]
4.
come to terms with; "We got by on just a gallon of gas"; "They made do on half a loaf of bread every day" [syn: cope]
5.
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others [syn: compete]
6.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight; "the tribesmen fought each other"; "Siblings are always fighting"; "Militant groups are contending for control of the country"
Con*tend"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Contended; p. pr. & vb. n. Contending.] [OF. contendre, L. contendere, -tentum; con- + tendere to strech. See Tend.]1. To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight. For never two such kingdoms did contend Without much fall of blood. --Shak. The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle. --Deut. ii. 9. In ambitious strength I did Contend against thy valor. --Shak. 2. To struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend. You sit above, and see vain men below Contend for what you only can bestow. --Dryden. 3. To strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue. The question which our author would contend for. --Locke. Many things he fiercely contended about were trivial. --Dr. H. More. Syn: To struggle; fight; combat; vie; strive; oppose; emulate; contest; litigate; dispute; debate.
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