contend vs dispute

contend is not a noun while dispute is a noun.

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

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

Other hyponyms of contend include challenge, gainsay.

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

Other hyponyms of contend include stickle, spar, bicker, brabble, niggle, pettifog, quibble, squabble, altercate, argufy, quarrel, scrap, oppose.

contend (noun)	dispute (noun)
	coming into conflict with
	a disagreement or argument about something important

contend (verb)	dispute (verb)
to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation	take exception to
have an argument about something	have a disagreement over something
maintain or assert
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available