Contend Meaning
/kənˈtɛnd/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo be in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.
verbTo struggle or exert oneself to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.
Sentence Examples
Besides those serious problems, he had to contend with all sorts of people.
He had to contend against physical suffering.
I would contend that the minister's thinking is flawed on this point.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Several athletes will ____ for the gold medal at the upcoming championship.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Besides those serious problems, he had to ____ with all sorts of people.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Deuteronomy 2:9:
"For never two such kingdoms did contend without much fall of blood."
— 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
"God has entrusted something to the church, and it is the church's job to contend for it, even unto death"
— 2020, C. Matthew McMahon, Therese B. McMahon, 5 Marks of Christian Resolve:
"these simple ideas are far from those innate principles which some contend for"
— 1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], chapter 2, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC, book I, page 9:
"many of those things he so fiercely contended about , were either falle or trivial"
— 1667, attributed to Richard Allestree, The Causes of the Decay of Christian Piety. […], London: […] R. Norton for T. Garthwait, […], →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Several athletes will ____ for the gold medal at the upcoming championship.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Besides those serious problems, he had to ____ with all sorts of people.