CONTEND (WITH) Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

contend (with)

verb

Definition of contend (with)

as in to address

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently a multitude of problems to contend with as soon as he returned to the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to oppose

to strive to reduce or eliminate medical missionaries who daily contend with disease and poverty

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend (with)

Verb

Cush addressed the allegations at Monday’s board meeting, saying the district has no contracts with the Alive Center and the board members have not benefited from their involvement with both organizations.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Toth said that the city had previously addressed allegations made by Saloum in the MDCR investigation, in which the MDCR determined there was insufficient evidence and dismissed Saloum's complaint.

— Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of address

Verb

Friday provided a brief but clear reminder of what kind of headache that could be for opposing defensive coordinators.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
But that also will be two months after the Bucks play in Miami, when Giannis will be in opposing colors for the first time in his career.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of oppose

Verb

Shielded from the elements and stocked with comforting amenities, this hotel manages to feel like part of the national park.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Leeds United’s goalkeeper does not manage his social media accounts but his friends have kept him informed of the feverish reaction to his arrival.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of manage

Verb

The 63-year-old was born in the central city of Esfahan and volunteered to fight in the Iraq-Iran war as a teenager, along with tens of thousands of young Iranians.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Pathogens are microorganisms known to cause numerous diseases in their host, meaning Bifidobacterium animalis may help fight certain diseases.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Verb

Records show Denver's own city attorneys handled the Calderon case from its filing in August 2024 until April 2026, when the City Attorney opted to hire Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
With Watts purportedly stressed about finances in the wake of the Late Late Show’s end, McCollough volunteered to subsidize his costs by running his social media accounts and handling odd jobs like manning his merch stand.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of handle

Verb

Many contain Bifidobacterium longum, known for effectively combating gastrointestinal symptoms.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Officials have recently begun to mull raising rates to combat inflation, but that calculus could change if economic figures show the labor market might be the greater problem.

— Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of combat

Verb

Artificial intelligence has enabled the rapid rise of such tools, capable of digitally manipulating photos with little effort.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
In a country where current and former governors command massive grassroots support and are often accused of working with local electoral officials to manipulate election results, analysts say the defections could work in Tinubu’s favor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

Whether defendant Tyler Robinson acted out of political animus could be key for prosecutors seeking the death penalty — or for his attorneys in taking that punishment off the table.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Their concepts are travel-based, with their album like a travel brochure that takes fans and listeners on a trip.

— Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of take

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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contends (with)

contend (with)

content

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Style

“Contend (with).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend%20%28with%29. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of contend (with)

verb

Example Sentences

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