WordWeb Online

1. Maintain or assert
   "He contended that Communism had no future";
   - postulate
    
2. Have an argument about something
   - argue, debate, fence
    
3. To make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
   "They contended the outcome of the race";
   - contest, repugn
    
4. Deal with reasonably well despite some difficulty; come to terms with
   - cope, get by, make do, grapple, deal, manage
    
5. 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
    
6. Be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
   "Militant groups are contending for control of the country";
   - fight, struggle

Derived forms: contended, contending, contends

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

Encyclopedia: Contend