contend vs defend

contend and defend both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
contend	No	No	Yes	No
defend	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, defend is a hyponym of contend; that is, defend is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than contend:

contend (verb)	defend (verb)
to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation	argue or speak in defense of
have an argument about something	state or assert
maintain or assert	be on the defensive; act against an attack
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others	protect against a challenge or attack
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight	protect or fight for as a champion
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available	fight against or resist strongly
	be the defense counsel for someone in a trial