contend

What does “contend” mean?

verb.to struggle to surmount (a difficulty or danger); to assert something in an argument.

SAT Usage

This term often appears in passages discussing conflict, debate, or competition, emphasizing the act of asserting a position or engaging in argumentation. It implies a vigorous or determined effort to defend a viewpoint or overcome obstacles, differing from similar words like "argue," which may lack the connotation of struggle or challenge inherent in this term.

Common Confusions

Contend implies a vigorous struggle or challenge in asserting a position, while argue usually suggests a more straightforward discussion or exchange of views without the same intensity of conflict.

Example Sentences

• Two competitors contend for the championship title this weekend.

• Young athletes must contend with nerves during their first finals.

Word Parts: How to Remember “contend”

Break “contend” into its parts: co- (together, with). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: co- together, with (Latin)