contend in WordNet English dictionary

1. have an argument about something
   argue  contend  debate  fence 
   
2. compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
   compete  vie  contend 
   
3. to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
   "They contested the outcome of the race"
   contest  contend  repugn 
   
4. maintain or assert
   "He contended that Communism had no future"
   contend  postulate 
   
5. 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"
   contend  fight  struggle 
   
6. come to terms with
   "We got by on just a gallon of gas"; "They made do on half a loaf of bread every day"
   cope  get by  make out  make do  contend  grapple  deal  manage