The verb contend has 6 senses (first 4 from tagged texts)
1. (11) contend, postulate -- (maintain or assert; "He contended that Communism had no future")
2. (3) argue, contend, debate, fence -- (have an argument about something)
3. (2) contest, contend, repugn -- (to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation; "They contested the outcome of the race")
4. (1) compete, vie, contend -- (compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others)
5. cope, get by, make out, make do, contend, grapple, deal, manage -- (come to terms or deal successfully with; "We got by on just a gallon of gas"; "They made do on half a loaf of bread every day")
6. contend, fight, struggle -- (be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight; "the tribesmen fought each other"; "Siblings are always fighting"; "Militant groups are contending for control of the country")