Con‐tend″ (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Contended; p. pr. & vb. n.Contending.] [OF. contendre, L. contendere, -tentum; con- + tendere to strech. See Tend.] 1. To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.
For never two such kingdoms did contend
Without much fall of blood.
Shak.
The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle.
Deut. ii. 9.
In ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valor.
Shak.
2. To struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.
You sit above, and see vain men below
Contend for what you only can bestow.
Dryden.
3. To strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.
The question which our author would contend for.
Locke.
Many things he fiercely contended about were trivial.
Dr. H. More.
Syn. — To struggle; fight; combat; vie; strive; oppose; emulate; contest; litigate; dispute; debate.