contend
Use Contend in a sentence
verb (used without object)
1.
to struggle in opposition: to contend with the enemy for control of the port.
2.
to strive in rivalry; compete; vie: to contend for first prize.
3.
to strive in debate; dispute earnestly: to contend against falsehood.
verb (used with object)
4.
to assert or maintain earnestly: He contended that taxes were too high.
Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English contenden < Anglo-French contendre < Latin contendere to compete, strive, draw tight, equivalent to con- con- + tendere to stretch; see tend1
1400–50; late Middle English contenden < Anglo-French contendre < Latin contendere to compete, strive, draw tight, equivalent to con- con- + tendere to stretch; see tend1
Related forms
con·tend·er, noun
con·tend·ing·ly, adverb
non·con·tend·ing, adjective
pre·con·tend, verb (used without object)
re·con·tend, verb (used without object)
Antonyms
3. agree.
3. agree.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To contend
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Contend
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is absquatulate. Does it mean:
| to flee; abscond: |
| to bark; yelp. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
contend (kənˈtɛnd) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (often foll by with) | |
| 1. | to struggle in rivalry, battle, etc; vie |
| 2. | to argue earnestly; debate |
| 3. | (tr; may take a clause as object) to assert or maintain |
| [C15: from Latin contendere to strive, from com- with + tendere to stretch, aim] | |
| con'tender | |
| —n | |
| con'tendingly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
contend
mid-15c., from L. contendere "to stretch out, strive after," from com- intensive prefix + tendere "to stretch" (see tenet). Related: Contended (pp. adj., c.1700); contender (1540s); contending (1590s).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Supporters contend these laws are simply meant to ensure the integrity of the voting process.
The tricky part is when packets from different input lines contend for the same output line.
Americans, some contend, are only now waking up to the inherent dangers of the free market.
Not only is there the increasing rate of intertribal violence and the hostility of the north to contend with.
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