To struggle or exert oneself to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.
To be in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.
To be in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.
To believe (something is reasonable) and argue (for it); to advocate.
contend with: To try to cope with a difficulty or problem.
To try to come out ahead in a competition for something specific or put oneself in a more favourable position generally.
To try to get one's horse into a better position during a horse race.