If you have to contend with a problem or difficulty, you have to deal with it or overcome it. It is time, once again, to contend with racism American businesses could soon have a new kind of lawsuit to contend with
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"
If you contend with someone for something such as power, you compete with them to try to get it. the two main groups contending for power. with 10 UK construction yards contending with rivals from Norway, Holland, Italy and Spain. a binding political settlement between the contending parties