contend

contend

verb

Definition of CONTEND

1

to engage in a contest <two traditional rivals contending for the championship>

Synonyms battle, contend, face off, fight, race, rival, vie

Related Words challenge, engage, play; jockey, jostle, maneuver; go out, try out; train, work

2

to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration <contended that the senator's considerable experience made him the best candidate>

Synonyms assert, contend, maintain, plead, reason

Related Words adduce, cite, mention; claim, insist; affirm, aver, avouch, avow; advance, give, offer, propose, submit; advise, counsel, recommend, suggest, urge; convince, persuade; advocate, champion, defend, enforce, espouse, support; explain, justify, rationalize; consider, debate, discuss; confute, counter, disprove, rebut, refute

3

to state as a fact usually forcefully <contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything>

Synonyms affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow, contend, declare, insist, maintain, profess, protest, purport, warrant

Related Words announce, broadcast, proclaim; argue, rationalize, reason; confirm, justify, vindicate; defend, persevere, support, uphold; reaffirm, reassert

Near Antonyms abandon; disavow, disclaim, disown, negate, negative, reject, repudiate; challenge, dispute, question; confute, disprove, rebut, refute; contradict, counter

Antonyms deny, gainsay