1. Maintain or assert
   "He contended that Communism had no future";
   - postulate
    
2. Seek or strive for the same thing as someone else; engage in a contest
   "Iran also faces Japan as they contend for the Asian seat";
   - compete, vie
    
3. Have an argument about something
   "The couple contended about their vacation plans";
   - argue, debate, fence
    
4. To make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
   "They contended the outcome of the race";
   - contest, repugn [archaic]
    
5. Engage with and attempt to overcome a difficulty or challenge
   "He contended with constant interruptions";
   - cope, deal, grapple, manage

Derived forms: contended, contends, contending

See also: contested, uncontested

Type of: act, claim, converse, discourse, move, oppose

Encyclopedia: Contend