contend with

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. Wait, I have to contend with a hundred applicants for this job? Oh man. I don't have high hopes if we have to contend with a mega corporation like FlemCo. for the contract.
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? Well, if your new company has to contend with bad press, it certainly isn't going to help things.
See also: contend
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

contend with someone (for something)

 and contend (with someone) for something
to 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.
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References in periodicals archive ?
They must contend with the emotional stress of knowing they are likely to develop a lethal disease.
The small band of cortisol researchers must also contend with scientists who remain deeply skeptical of the link between cortisol and AIDS.
The cortisol connection: does a stress hormone play a role in AIDS?
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