contend

verb

1. maintain or assert"He contended that Communism had no future"
2. have an argument about something
3. to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation"They contested the outcome of the race"
4. succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available"We got by on just a gallon of gas"
5. compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
6. be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight"the tribesmen fought each other"