encounter vs contend

encounter is a noun but contend is not a noun.

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

encounter (noun)	contend (noun)
a minor short-term fight
a casual meeting with a person or thing
a hostile disagreement face-to-face
a casual or unexpected convergence

encounter (verb)	contend (verb)
contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle	to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
come together	have an argument about something
come upon, as if by accident; meet with	maintain or assert
be beset by	compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
experience as a reaction	be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
	succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available