contend-v; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: maintain, assert, or claim

Examples:
He contended that no precedent could be found to justify such practice.
Critics contended the search process appeared too political.
Defendants contended the employee acted in self-defense.
He contended that Communism had no future.
The city contended the assessment was to compensate for past discrimination.

Mappings:
VerbNet: conjecture-29.5-2
FrameNet: Statement
PropBank: contend.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: struggle against or compete with for a desired outcome

Examples:
They contended the 10 percent increase applied to the taxpayers' residence.
The people of the frontier areas contended with the people of the older, southeastern region for more adequate representation.
They won NCA Nationals in 1990 and 1995, and they contended for the title many other years.
In the history of the Roman Church, the term antipope is used for a man who usurped or contended for the position of bishop of Rome.
President Schmidt contended the unfair labor practice.

Mappings:
VerbNet: battle-36.4
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: contend.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 3, 5, 6

Sense Number 3: deal with or come to terms with difficult or unpleasant situation

Examples:
Murdoch this year contended with the surprise resignation of son Lachlan.
How have they contended with the external influences to which their wealth has exposed them?
Hamburger Lad contended with a new computer at work.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: contend.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4