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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)

contend with — to deal with or struggle against (a difficulty or unpleasant situation) (concept illustration)
💡 Concept
Defend the pass, extend your guard - contend with danger, standing hard!
🎵 Rhyme

Defend the pass, extend your guard - contend with danger, standing hard!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/kənˈtend wɪð/
🇬🇧 UK/kənˈtend wɪð/

🌳Etymology

Prefixcon--
Roottend

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

defend
extend
intend
attend

🔗Collocations

contend with problems
contend with competition
contend with difficulties
contend with challenges
have to contend with
contend with pressure

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“Modern parents have to contend with their kids being addicted to smartphones.”

“The company must contend with rising costs and fierce competition.”

😄 Fun example

“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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