contend
verb
°to strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.
"For never two such kingdoms did contend without much fall of blood."
°to struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.
"You sit above, and see vain men below contend for what you only can bestow."
synonyms: struggle, fight, combat, vie more» , strive, oppose, emulate, contest, litigate, dispute, debate