contend vs take on

contend and take on both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
contend	No	No	Yes	No
take on	No	No	Yes	No

contend (verb)	take on (verb)
to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation	take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect
have an argument about something	contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
maintain or assert	admit into a group or community
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others	accept as a challenge
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight	take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available