contend

CEFRB2

/kənˈtɛnd/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To compete or struggle against someone or something.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To struggle or exert oneself to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.

Examples

  • Besides those serious problems, he had to contend with all sorts of people.

  • He had to contend against physical suffering.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To be in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.

  2. To be in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.

  3. To try to cope with a difficulty or problem.

More examples

In context

  • I would contend that the minister's thinking is flawed on this point.

  • In this paper the author contends that no useful results can be obtained if this method is used.

  • 17th century, John Dryden, Epistle III to the Lady Castlemain You sit above, and see vain men below / Contend for what you only can bestow.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Several athletes will blank for the gold medal at the upcoming championship.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

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.