contend
gb/kəntˈɛnd/ us/kəntˈɛnd/
B2
英语
~ 5200
义项
0 个义项
动词
formal
C1
action
1
argue or claim that something is so
To say strongly that something is true, usually in a serious talk, article, or court case.
用法模式：
[someone] contends (that) [clause]
常见错误：
Learners often confuse "contend" with "content" (meaning satisfied). They may also try to use "contend" in very casual speech where "say" or "think" is more natural. Another mistake is leaving out the clause: you usually contend something specific, often using "that" (e.g., "They contend that the law is unfair.").
近义词
argue (More general and common in speech; less formal than "contend".)
|
maintain (Similar formality; suggests holding a position over time, even against opposition.)
|
assert (Emphasizes stating something strongly and confidently, sometimes without proof.)
|
claim (Very common; can sound more neutral or skeptical, depending on context.)
反义词
concede (Means to admit something is true after denying or resisting it, the opposite of continuing to contend a point.)
|
accept (Means to agree that something is true instead of arguing against it.)
搭配
contend that
|critics contend
|scholars contend
|defense lawyers contend
|it is contended that
|rightly contend
主题
communication
|law
|academia
|core_vocabulary
例句
- The lawyers contend that the evidence was collected illegally.
- Many scientists contend that climate change is already affecting weather patterns.
- Supporters of the plan contend that it will create thousands of new jobs.
- Her article contends that social media has changed how young people form friendships.
学习者例句
- The author contends that the law is unfair.
- Some people contend that video games make children violent.
- Experts contend that exercise is the best way to stay healthy.
- They contend that the company broke the rules.
动词
B2
action
2
compete to win something
To try to win something while other people or teams are also trying to win it.
用法模式：
[someone/something] contends for [something]
常见错误：
Learners sometimes drop the preposition and say "contend the title" instead of "contend for the title." Another confusion is using "contend" when there is no real competition; in those cases "try" or "aim" is more natural.
近义词
compete (More common and general; does not carry the slightly formal tone of "contend.")
|
vie (Formal/literary; often used in similar contexts but less frequent than "contend.")
反义词
withdraw (Means to stop taking part in a competition, the opposite of contending for a prize.)
|
forfeit (Means to give up your right to a prize or game, instead of actively competing for it.)
搭配
contend for the title
|contend for first place
|contend for power
|contend for a medal
|contend for the presidency
|contend in the finals
主题
sports
|politics
|competition
|work
|core_vocabulary
例句
- Several teams are still contending for the championship.
- She plans to contend for a place on the national swimming team.
- Three candidates are contending for the party leadership.
- Only two players now remain to contend for the top prize.
学习者例句
- Four teams will contend for the cup this year.
- He wants to contend for a gold medal at the Olympics.
- Many companies contend for the same customers.
- Two men contended for the job of manager.
动词
B2
action
3
struggle to deal with difficulties
To face and try to deal with difficult people, problems, or things.
用法模式：
[someone] contends with [problem/difficulty]
常见错误：
Learners sometimes say "contend about" or "contend to" instead of the fixed phrase "contend with." They also sometimes use it for simple, easy tasks, but it usually describes real difficulty or pressure.
近义词
struggle with (Very close in meaning; more common and slightly more informal than "contend with.")
|
cope with (Focuses more on managing a situation than on active opposition or struggle.)
|
face (More general; does not always suggest as much difficulty as "contend with.")
反义词
avoid (Means to stay away from problems instead of having to deal with them.)
|
escape (Means to get away from difficulties, the opposite of being forced to contend with them.)
搭配
contend with challenges
|contend with problems
|contend with traffic
|contend with a serious illness
|contend with limited resources
|contend with opposition
主题
difficulties
|work
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
例句
- Small businesses often contend with rising costs and strict regulations.
- Residents have to contend with heavy traffic during rush hour.
- The team is contending with a number of injuries this season.
- Farmers must contend with unpredictable weather conditions.
学习者例句
- We have to contend with a lot of noise from the street.
- She contends with stress at work every day.
- Many families contend with high rent prices.
- The city contends with air pollution in the summer.
动词
literary
C2
action
4
fight or struggle in battle
To fight against another person or group, usually in a serious or violent way (mostly in stories or history).
用法模式：
[groups/forces] contend (against [someone])
近义词
fight (More common and direct; can be physical or figurative, while this sense of "contend" is often literary.)
|
do battle (Set phrase with similar formal or literary tone.)
反义词
make peace (Means to stop fighting and agree peacefully, the opposite of continuing to contend in battle.)
搭配
contend in battle
|contending armies
|contending forces
|contend against an enemy
|contend on the battlefield
|contend for supremacy
主题
war
|history
|literature
|politics
|core_vocabulary
例句
- Rival kingdoms contended for control of the region.
- The two armies contended fiercely on the open plain.
- For centuries, clans contended against one another over the fertile valley.
学习者例句
- Two armies contended for control of the city.
- In the story, heroes contend against a great evil.
- Many groups contended in the long war.
语法
词典原形
contend
IPA
GB/kəntˈɛnd/
US/kəntˈɛnd/
音节与重音
con - tend （2 个音节）
Stress on 2nd syllable (tend)
词形变化
Verb
- Base: contend
- 3rd Person Singular: contends
- Present Participle: contending
- Past: contended
词族
Forms
contends
verb
contending
verb
contended
verb
Core family
contender
noun B2
contention
noun C1
Related words
contentious
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
contentiously
adverb
contentiousness
noun
相关表达
contend for
1/kəntˈɛnd fɚ/
phrasal verb
compete in order to win
To try to win a prize, title, or position while other people are also trying to win it.
例句
- Ten runners will contend for the gold medal tomorrow.
- Three parties are contending for control of the government.
- Several young actors are contending for the lead role.
contend that
1/kəntˈɛnd ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
formal
formally claim that something is true
To say strongly, in a formal or serious way, that something is true.
例句
- The report contends that the policy has failed.
- They contend that the new rules are unfair.
- Some researchers contend that the results have been misinterpreted.
contend with
1/kəntˈɛnd wˈɪθ/
phrasal verb
have to deal with difficulties
To have difficult problems, people, or things that you must deal with.
例句
- We have to contend with frequent delays on this train line.
- New parents often contend with a lack of sleep.
- Small shops must contend with competition from big online stores.