Struggling or competing against something or someone; also means claiming or arguing that something is true.
From Latin contendere (to stretch together, to contest), with the -ing suffix added to show the ongoing action or present participle form.
The word 'contending' captures both physical struggle (like athletes contending for a medal) and intellectual struggle (like scientists contending that a theory is wrong), making it perfect for describing any kind of opposition or conflict.
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