contend
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Related to contended: thesaurus, exuberates
contend against (someone or something)
To compete against someone or something. Andy hasn't trained enough to contend against other swimmers his age. If you push him to enter this race, he'll just end up disappointed.
See also: contend
contend for (something)
To compete against someone for something. Andy hasn't trained enough to contend for a win. If you push him to enter this race, he'll just end up disappointed.
contend with (someone or something)
1. To compete against someone. Andy hasn't trained enough to contend with other swimmers his age. If you push him to enter this race, he'll just end up disappointed.
2. To struggle against or work to solve a problem or issue. I'm not ready to contend with that problem just yet—I need coffee first. How can we contend with these huge financial losses and still stay in business?
See also: contend
contend with (someone or something) for (something)
To compete against someone or something for something. Andy hasn't trained enough to contend with other swimmers his age for a win. If you push him to enter this race, he'll just end up disappointed.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
contend against someone or something
to fight or compete against someone or something. Do we have to contend against all this criticism? Ed refuses to have to contend against Eric.
See also: contend
contend with a problem
to put up with a difficulty; to struggle with the problems caused by someone or something. I cannot contend with your temper anymore. I wish we did not have to contend with this changeable weather.
contend with someone (for something)
and contend (with someone) for somethingto fight someone for something; to compete with someone to win something. I don't want to have to contend with Sally for the award. I don't want to have to contend for the job with Ed.
See also: contend
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.