contend

/kən'tend/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
contend

The siblings contend over the last piece of cake.

Definition

  1. Verb (intransitive):

    • To struggle or compete against someone or something to achieve a goal: This is the core meaning, involving effort against opposition, whether physical, competitive, or metaphorical.
    • To argue or assert a point: To state something as a fact or belief, often in a debate or discussion.

  2. Verb (transitive):

    • To assert or maintain that something is true: To put forward a claim or argument as a fact.
Examples of Usage

  • Verb (intransitive - struggle/compete):

    • Several teams contend for the championship every year.
    • She had to contend with bad weather during her climb.
    • The two factions are contending for control of the region.

  • Verb (intransitive/transitive - argue/assert):

    • The lawyer contended that the evidence was insufficient. (transitive)
    • Historians contend over the causes of the war. (intransitive)
Advanced Usage
  • "to contend with": To deal with a difficult situation or problem.
    • The new manager has many old problems to contend with.
  • "to have a lot to contend with": To face many difficulties or challenges.
    • As a single parent, she has a lot to contend with.
Variants and Related Words
  • Contender (n): A person or group that competes with others to achieve something.
    • He is a top contender for the position.
  • Contention (n):
    • Heated disagreement or argument.
      • The new policy is a source of contention.
    • An assertion or point argued for.
      • His main contention is that the system is unfair.
  • Contentious (adj): Causing or likely to cause argument; controversial.
    • It was a contentious decision.
Synonyms
  • Compete, vie, struggle, fight: (for the "struggle/compete" meaning).
  • Assert, maintain, argue, claim: (for the "argue/assert" meaning).
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Contend with: (See "Advanced Usage" above). This is the primary phrasal construction.
Related Idioms
  • A bone of contention: A subject or issue over which there is ongoing disagreement.
    • The property line has been a bone of contention between the neighbors for years.
contend

The siblings contend over the last piece of cake.

Verb
  1. be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
    • the tribesmen fought each other
    • Siblings are always fighting
    • Militant groups are contending for control of the country
  2. compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
  3. come to terms with
    • We got by on just a gallon of gas
    • They made do on half a loaf of bread every day
  4. to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
    • They contested the outcome of the race
  5. have an argument about something
  6. maintain or assert
    • He contended that Communism had no future

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ gần giống

Từ chứa "contend"

Từ có nhắc đến "contend"