How to pronounce contend
Say it like kun-TEND. Contend has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contend. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TEND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contend pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TENDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of contend
American and British speakers say contend in essentially the same way: /kənˈtɛnd/ in the US and /kənˈtɛnd/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-TEND.
What does contend mean?
- maintain or assert“He contended that Communism had no future”
- have an argument about something
- to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation“They contested the outcome of the race”
Where does contend come from?
From Middle English contenden, borrowed from Old French contendre, from Latin contendere (“to stretch out, extend, strive after, contend”), from com- (“together”) + tendere (“to stretch”); see tend, and compare attend, extend, intend, subtend.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with contend
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contend.
Questions about saying contend
How do you pronounce contend?
Say kun-TEND. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtɛnd/. In British English it is /kənˈtɛnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contend?
Contend has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEND). Broken into parts: kun · TEND.
Do Americans and Brits say contend the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈtɛnd/ and the British form is /kənˈtɛnd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.