Contend
verb
To compete with someone in a hard way to gain something.
She had to contend with a number of difficulties to get into college.
Often appears as...
- contend with difficulties
- contend for power
verb
To argue or state that something is true.
She contended that the environmental regulations were inadequate.
Often appears as...
- contend that statement
- contend in an argument
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To deal with problems or difficulties.
He had to contend with a severe thunderstorm on his journey.
Often appears as...
- contend with problems
- contend with challenges
verb
To compete with someone in a hard way to gain something.
She had to contend with a number of difficulties to get into college.
Often appears as...
- contend with difficulties
- contend for power
verb
To argue or state that something is true.
She contended that the environmental regulations were inadequate.
Often appears as...
- contend that statement
- contend in an argument
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To deal with problems or difficulties.
He had to contend with a severe thunderstorm on his journey.
Often appears as...
- contend with problems
- contend with challenges
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Competitive Context
Used when describing rivalry and efforts to win a goal.
The two athletes will contend for the championship title tomorrow.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity of Effort
Implies a considerable amount of effort and determination.
Despite his injury, he's contending for the gold medal.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Instant Win
Suggests ongoing effort over time rather than a single event.
The startup had to contend with established brands for years.
Pro Tip 1/3Competitive Context
Used when describing rivalry and efforts to win a goal.
The two athletes will contend for the championship title tomorrow.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity of Effort
Implies a considerable amount of effort and determination.
Despite his injury, he's contending for the gold medal.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Instant Win
Suggests ongoing effort over time rather than a single event.
The startup had to contend with established brands for years.
Pro Tip 1/3Competitive Context
Used when describing rivalry and efforts to win a goal.
The two athletes will contend for the championship title tomorrow.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity of Effort
Implies a considerable amount of effort and determination.
Despite his injury, he's contending for the gold medal.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Instant Win
Suggests ongoing effort over time rather than a single event.
The startup had to contend with established brands for years.
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Video examples
Andrea Ghez: The hunt...
that basically shows you how these orbits have been moving, in three dimensions. And I hope, if nothing else, I've convinced you that, one, we do in fact have a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy. And this means that these things do exist in our universe, and we have to contend with this, we have to explain
Video examples
The fascinating (and...
and the floor was black and it was moving. Yeah, and at night there was three raised platforms to sleep on, but there was only -- let's say there was four team members, and the thing is, if you got a raised platform to sleep on, you only had to contend with a few cockroaches during the night,
Video examples
A brief history of...
and in that discussion, you'll find a strong argument that sadness is not only an inevitable part of life but an essential one. If you've never felt melancholy, you've missed out on part of what it means to be human. Many thinkers contend that melancholy is necessary in gaining wisdom.
Video examples
Can you guess what's...
But the work of past restorers is a threat they regularly contend with— as was the case with this portrait. To recover the original, the conservator began removing the outer varnish coat. Varnish is commonly used to protect paintings from debris and make their colors pop.
Video examples
The Dangers of Shark...
with a simple purpose. Basically shark nets they are culling device. So their aim is to catch and kill sharks. Supporters of the program believe that they've helped keep sharks away from innocent beachgoers. But critics contend there's a harmful downside.
Video examples
How I accidentally...
and how we see the world and for how the world sees us? We live in very strange times. And I think for the most part, we all live in a state of constant triage. There's just too much information, too much stuff to contend with.
Video examples
The sharks that hunt in...
crutch-like prop roots or wavy buttress roots, to support themselves in their unsteady terrain. These newly established mangroves have to contend with two additional seawater is high in dehydrating and potentially toxic salt,
Video examples
Reclaiming Syria’s story...
religious dogma and focus on nonviolent as a way of life all of this comes at great personal risk and sacrifice because activists like myself who work on the grounds have to contend with the dozens of arms and
Video examples
Special Investigation:...
for zoo license critics contend that have approved the sanctuary will have greater autonomy over its Tiger operations wonder people in the world to know this press is illegal title is like the rare animal now
Video examples
Bees Kill A Giant Hornet...
is very special it's the smell of this growing store of energy rich honey which could be their downfall if it draws in a hornet Scout but right now the Hornets have other problems to contend with the
Video examples
Andrea Ghez: The hunt...
that basically shows you how these orbits have been moving, in three dimensions. And I hope, if nothing else, I've convinced you that, one, we do in fact have a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy. And this means that these things do exist in our universe, and we have to contend with this, we have to explain
Video examples
The fascinating (and...
and the floor was black and it was moving. Yeah, and at night there was three raised platforms to sleep on, but there was only -- let's say there was four team members, and the thing is, if you got a raised platform to sleep on, you only had to contend with a few cockroaches during the night,
Video examples
A brief history of...
and in that discussion, you'll find a strong argument that sadness is not only an inevitable part of life but an essential one. If you've never felt melancholy, you've missed out on part of what it means to be human. Many thinkers contend that melancholy is necessary in gaining wisdom.
Video examples
Can you guess what's...
But the work of past restorers is a threat they regularly contend with— as was the case with this portrait. To recover the original, the conservator began removing the outer varnish coat. Varnish is commonly used to protect paintings from debris and make their colors pop.
Video examples
The Dangers of Shark...
with a simple purpose. Basically shark nets they are culling device. So their aim is to catch and kill sharks. Supporters of the program believe that they've helped keep sharks away from innocent beachgoers. But critics contend there's a harmful downside.
Video examples
How I accidentally...
and how we see the world and for how the world sees us? We live in very strange times. And I think for the most part, we all live in a state of constant triage. There's just too much information, too much stuff to contend with.
Video examples
The sharks that hunt in...
crutch-like prop roots or wavy buttress roots, to support themselves in their unsteady terrain. These newly established mangroves have to contend with two additional seawater is high in dehydrating and potentially toxic salt,
Video examples
Reclaiming Syria’s story...
religious dogma and focus on nonviolent as a way of life all of this comes at great personal risk and sacrifice because activists like myself who work on the grounds have to contend with the dozens of arms and
Video examples
Special Investigation:...
for zoo license critics contend that have approved the sanctuary will have greater autonomy over its Tiger operations wonder people in the world to know this press is illegal title is like the rare animal now
Video examples
Bees Kill A Giant Hornet...
is very special it's the smell of this growing store of energy rich honey which could be their downfall if it draws in a hornet Scout but right now the Hornets have other problems to contend with the
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Ayelet Waldman
Israeli Novelist
I did not want to raise a genetically compromised child. I did not want my children to have to contend with the massive diversion of parental attention, and the consequences of being compelled to care for their brother after I died. I wanted a genetically perfect baby, and because that was something I could control, I chose to end his life.
Quote examples
Murray Rothbard
American Economist
I do not go so far as the extreme male 'sexists' who contend that women should confine themselves to the home and children and that any search for alternative careers is unnatural. On the other hand, I do not see much more support for the opposite contention that domestic-type women are violating their natures.
Quote examples
Andrew J. Bernstein
American Writer
To believe that your husband, wife, parents, kids, boss, job, bank account, or body is even partly responsible for your emotions, to think that there are bullets 'out there' that you have to contend with, that there are stressful life events to overcome, is to miss something vital.
Quote examples
John Sununu
American Politician
Critics might contend that putting former private-sector CEOs in the president's Cabinet places the fox in the henhouse. But it's unlikely such executives would expose themselves to the headaches if they weren't genuinely motivated by the call to service.
Quote examples
Gary Woodland
American Athlete
I don't have to be perfect with my ball-striking, because I have other things that can pick me up, that's been a big confidence boost for me, knowing I don't have to be perfect; I can still contend and have a chance to win.
Quote examples
Tony Campolo
American Clergyman
I contend the state ought to do its thing and provide legal rights for all couples who want to be joined together for life. The church should bless unions that it sees fit to bless, and they should be called marriages.
Quote examples
Charles Dickens
English Novelist
It is a pleasant thing to reflect upon, and furnishes a complete answer to those who contend for the gradual degeneration of the human species, that every baby born into the world is a finer one than the last.
Quote examples
Josh McDowell
American Writer
While the resurrection promises us a new and perfect life in the future, God loves us too much to leave us alone to contend with the pain, guilt and loneliness of our present life.
Quote examples
Margo Jefferson
American Critic
So much of what blacks and women contend with is centered in how we view, and how the world views, our bodies. Gestures, voices, affect.
Quote examples
Meryl Streep
American Actress
I let the actions of my life stand for what I am as a human being. Contend with that, not the words.
Quote examples
Ayelet Waldman
Israeli Novelist
I did not want to raise a genetically compromised child. I did not want my children to have to contend with the massive diversion of parental attention, and the consequences of being compelled to care for their brother after I died. I wanted a genetically perfect baby, and because that was something I could control, I chose to end his life.
Quote examples
Murray Rothbard
American Economist
I do not go so far as the extreme male 'sexists' who contend that women should confine themselves to the home and children and that any search for alternative careers is unnatural. On the other hand, I do not see much more support for the opposite contention that domestic-type women are violating their natures.
Quote examples
Andrew J. Bernstein
American Writer
To believe that your husband, wife, parents, kids, boss, job, bank account, or body is even partly responsible for your emotions, to think that there are bullets 'out there' that you have to contend with, that there are stressful life events to overcome, is to miss something vital.
Quote examples
John Sununu
American Politician
Critics might contend that putting former private-sector CEOs in the president's Cabinet places the fox in the henhouse. But it's unlikely such executives would expose themselves to the headaches if they weren't genuinely motivated by the call to service.
Quote examples
Gary Woodland
American Athlete
I don't have to be perfect with my ball-striking, because I have other things that can pick me up, that's been a big confidence boost for me, knowing I don't have to be perfect; I can still contend and have a chance to win.
Quote examples
Tony Campolo
American Clergyman
I contend the state ought to do its thing and provide legal rights for all couples who want to be joined together for life. The church should bless unions that it sees fit to bless, and they should be called marriages.
Quote examples
Charles Dickens
English Novelist
It is a pleasant thing to reflect upon, and furnishes a complete answer to those who contend for the gradual degeneration of the human species, that every baby born into the world is a finer one than the last.
Quote examples
Josh McDowell
American Writer
While the resurrection promises us a new and perfect life in the future, God loves us too much to leave us alone to contend with the pain, guilt and loneliness of our present life.
Quote examples
Margo Jefferson
American Critic
So much of what blacks and women contend with is centered in how we view, and how the world views, our bodies. Gestures, voices, affect.
Quote examples
Meryl Streep
American Actress
I let the actions of my life stand for what I am as a human being. Contend with that, not the words.
Example 1 of 10
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