Ask Difference

Assert vs. Contend — What's the Difference?

By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 16, 2024
Assert means to state something confidently and forcefully as a fact, while contend means to argue or compete for something, often against opposition or in a dispute.
Assert vs. Contend — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Assert and Contend

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Key Differences

Assert is a verb that involves stating a fact or belief confidently and forcefully. When someone asserts something, they express it with conviction, often to affirm their position or opinion unequivocally. Contend, on the other hand, means to argue or compete for something, especially in the face of opposition. It implies a level of dispute or struggle. To contend is to engage in a debate, competition, or conflict, where one must defend their position or strive to achieve a goal.
Assert emphasizes the act of declaring something with confidence and authority, often without expecting opposition. Contend highlights the element of challenge or competition, where one must argue or compete against others to uphold a position or win something.

Comparison Chart

Definition

To state something confidently and forcefully
To argue or compete for something

Context

Affirming a fact or belief
Engaging in a dispute or competition

Connotation

Confidence, authority
Challenge, opposition
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Usage Example

"She asserted her right to speak."
"He contended that the policy was unfair."

Key Element

Stating confidently
Arguing or competing against opposition

Compare with Definitions

Assert

To behave or speak in a confident and forceful manner.
The manager asserted her authority during the meeting.

Contend

To struggle or fight against difficulties or opposition.
The lawyer contended that the evidence was insufficient to convict his client.

Assert

To insist on having one's opinion or belief recognized.
The scientist asserted the importance of the new findings.

Contend

To argue or compete for something.
The teams will contend for the championship title next week.

Assert

To state something confidently and forcefully.
She asserted that she had completed the project on time.

Contend

To assert or maintain a position in a debate.
Critics contend that the new policy will harm the economy.

Assert

To express or state firmly.
The company asserted that its products were of the highest quality.

Contend

To strive in rivalry or competition.
She contended with her colleagues for the promotion.

Assert

To state or express positively; affirm
Asserted his innocence.

Contend

To strive in opposition or against difficulties; struggle
Armies contending for control of territory.
Had to contend with long lines at the airport.

Assert

To defend or maintain (one's rights, for example).

Contend

To strive in competition, as in a race; vie
Two runners contending for the lead.

Assert

To put into action boldly; employ or demonstrate
Asserted her independence.

Contend

To strive in controversy or debate; dispute.

Assert

To declare with assurance or plainly and strongly; to state positively.
He would often assert that there was life on other planets.

Contend

To assert or maintain
The defense contended that the evidence was inadmissible.

Assert

To use or exercise and thereby prove the existence of.
To assert one's authority
Salman Rushdie has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work.

Contend

(intransitive) To be in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.

Assert

To maintain or defend, as a cause or a claim, by words or measures; to vindicate a claim or title to
To assert our rights and liberties

Contend

(intransitive) To struggle or exert oneself to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.

Assert

(reflexive) To insist on the legitimacy of one's rights, opinion, etc; not to allow oneself to be dismissed; to ensure that one is taken into consideration; to make oneself respected; to be assertive.
Since going to therapy, I've found it much easier to assert myself.

Contend

(intransitive) To be in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.

Assert

(programming) To specify that a condition or expression is true at a certain point in the code.

Contend

(intransitive) To believe (something is reasonable) and argue (for it); to advocate.
In this paper the author contends that no useful results can be obtained if this method is used.

Assert

(electronics) To set a signal on a line using a voltage or electric current.

Contend

Contend with: To try to cope with a difficulty or problem.

Assert

(computer science) an assertion; a section of source code which tests whether an expected condition is true.

Contend

To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.
For never two such kingdoms did contendWithout much fall of blood.
The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle.
In ambitious strength I didContend against thy valor.

Assert

To affirm; to declare with assurance, or plainly and strongly; to state positively; to aver; to asseverate.
Nothing is more shameful . . . than to assert anything to be done without a cause.

Contend

To struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.
You sit above, and see vain men belowContend for what you only can bestow.

Assert

To maintain; to defend.
That . . . I may assert Eternal Providence,And justify the ways of God to men.
I will assert it from the scandal.

Contend

To strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.
The question which our author would contend for.
Many things he fiercely contended about were trivial.

Assert

To maintain or defend, as a cause or a claim, by words or measures; to vindicate a claim or title to; as, to assert our rights and liberties.

Contend

To struggle for; to contest.
Carthage shall contend the world with Rome.Dryden.

Assert

State categorically

Contend

Maintain or assert;
He contended that Communism had no future

Assert

To declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true;
Before God I swear I am innocent

Contend

Have an argument about something

Assert

Insist on having one's opinions and rights recognized;
Women should assert themselves more!

Contend

To make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation;
They contested the outcome of the race

Assert

Assert to be true;
The letter asserts a free society

Contend

Compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others

Assert

To affirm or defend a claim or right.
He asserted his right to privacy in the discussion.

Contend

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

Contend

To cope with or deal with something challenging.
The small business contended with financial pressures during the recession.

Common Curiosities

What does it mean to assert something?

To assert something means to state it confidently and forcefully as a fact or belief.

What does it mean to contend with something?

To contend with something means to struggle against it or deal with it, often involving a challenge or competition.

Is contend related to the concept of contention?

Yes, contention refers to a dispute or argument in which there is competition or disagreement.

Can assert and contend be used interchangeably?

No, assert focuses on confidently stating something as a fact, while contend involves arguing or competing against opposition.

What is an example of asserting a fact?

"She asserted that the project was completed on schedule."

Does contend always imply a dispute?

Yes, contend typically implies facing opposition or competing against others.

Is contend used in sports contexts?

Yes, contend is often used in sports contexts to describe competing for a title or position.

Can assert be used to describe behavior?

Yes, assert can describe confident and forceful behavior, such as "He asserted his authority."

Can contend be used to describe coping with difficulties?

Yes, contend can describe dealing with difficulties, such as "She contended with many obstacles."

What is an example of contending in a debate?

"The debater contended that stricter environmental regulations are necessary."

Is assert related to the concept of assertion?

Yes, an assertion is a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief.

Can both assert and contend be used in academic writing?

Yes, both terms can be used in academic writing but in different contexts—assert for stating confidently and contend for arguing against opposition.

Is assert used in legal contexts?

Yes, assert can be used in legal contexts to affirm rights or state facts confidently.

Does assert imply confidence?

Yes, assert implies a high level of confidence and authority in stating something.

Does contend imply competition?

Yes, contend often implies a competitive scenario where there is a struggle or rivalry.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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