1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
medical missionaries who daily contend with disease and poverty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend (with)
Verb
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The White House did not address whether Tuesday’s vote would lead to Trump relying more heavily on executive action — something the president himself seemed to suggest during his interview with Kudlow.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Feb. 2026 -
With increasing production complexity and a growing shortage of skilled labor, the Group views Physical AI systems as a robust solution to address gaps in both areas.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hunters and non-hunters alike are opposing a mule deer eradication plan on Catalina Island that was recently approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026
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Santa Clara, California — Mike Vrabel made his nnname in the NFL as a crunching outside linebacker, delivering punishment to opposing offenses and blowing up their plays on his way to winning multiple Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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So now, a team that has defeated conference leaders such as Oklahoma City, Denver, Detroit and New York, also has managed to fall to the lottery likes of Utah, Indiana and Sacramento, with the 15-40 Pelicans up next.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
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Interestingly, and likely due to the fact that all six episodes were released at once, Steal even managed to make Luminate’s Top 50 list just based on its first two days of viewing.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For some people, dogs are a way to feel loved, to relieve pressures to have kids, to fight the drudgery of their job, to reduce the stress of the rat race and to connect with the outdoors.—
Margret Grebowicz,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Ask a Native person why Native people have volunteered to fight in the US’s wars overseas, including in Korea, my homeland, and Vietnam, the most recent nation of origin of many of my refugee friends.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chief Deputy Chris Ketteman, who ranks just below the sheriff, decides whether each complaint warrants an internal affairs investigation or can be handled by a supervisor.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
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But Morgan, Dave Canales and Brandt Tilis have a history of locking up homegrown players who handle their business on and off the field.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As a politicized national fight over waste, fraud and abuse led by Republicans have targeted California and its Democratic leadership, Bonta and other state officials have moved swiftly to combat the claims.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Officials have vowed to combat any similar US military action against Cuba.—
Bianna Golodryga,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His belief that a conspiratorial coterie of people is manipulating American policy.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
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Certain brands of that vintage can be manipulated in ways that later models can’t.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But wherever that debate is going, deGrom is the guy to take us there.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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As the investigation into the shooting unfolded, detectives showed still images of Neves-Valente taken from surveillance video to several shooting victims.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Contend (with).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend%20%28with%29. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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