contend with — to deal with or struggle against (a difficulty or unpleasant situation)
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to deal with or struggle against (a difficulty or unpleasant situation)
Pronunciation (IPA): /kənˈtend wɪð/
Example Sentences
- Modern parents have to contend with their kids being addicted to smartphones.
- The company must contend with rising costs and fierce competition.
- He had to contend with his mother-in-law's cooking advice every holiday.
contend with
VERB[/kənˈtend wɪð/]
to deal with or struggle against (a difficulty or unpleasant situation)


Defend the pass, extend your guard - contend with danger, standing hard!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrase derives from Latin contendere, combining com- (together) and tendere (to stretch or strive). Originally meaning to struggle or compete with effort, it evolved to denote engaging with or dealing with challenges or opponents.
Breakdown
com- (together) + tendere (to stretch, strive, exert effort). The prefix com- indicates joint action, while tendere carries the sense of stretching or striving, producing the literal sense of 'striving together against'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Modern parents have to contend with their kids being addicted to smartphones.”
“The company must contend with rising costs and fierce competition.”
“He had to contend with his mother-in-law's cooking advice every holiday.”
“Athletes must contend with both physical and mental pressure during competitions.”
📚Related Words
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