Contending

Contending is the present participle of contend. It covers several related uses, including striving against difficulties or opposition, taking part in a contest, and asserting or arguing a point. In sentences such as “The team is contending for the league title” and “The author contends that the policy is flawed,” contending can refer to both competition and argument. The phrases contending with and contending for express different relations with the object of contention.

In sports and politics, “contending” describes entrants with a realistic chance of winning; “contenders” are those regarded as serious challengers. In debate, legal, or academic writing, “contend” means to argue for a position or claim. The idiom “to contend with” means to cope with or face difficulties, while “to contend for” means to strive to win something.

Etymology and related terms: contend comes from Latin contendere, meaning “to stretch, strive, or fight,” and entered English with senses related to both struggle and argument. Related terms include contender (a person who contends), contention (the act of contending or a claim in dispute), and contentious (likely to provoke disagreement). The sense of the word is largely shaped by context and preposition, distinguishing competing for a prize, contending with obstacles, and contending that a proposition is true.