What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Vary vs Contend - What's the difference?

vary | contend | Related terms |

Vary is a related term of contend.


As verbs the difference between vary and contend

is that vary is to change with time or a similar parameter while contend is to strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.

As a noun vary

is (obsolete) alteration; change.

vary

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To change with time or a similar parameter.
  • He varies his magic tricks so as to minimize the possibility that any given audience member will see the same trick twice.
  • To institute a change in, from a current state; to modify.
  • You should vary your diet. Eating just bread will do you harm in the end.
  • * Waller
  • Gods, that never change their state, / Vary oft their love and hate.
  • * Dryden
  • We are to vary the customs according to the time and country where the scene of action lies.
  • Not to remain constant: to change with time or a similar parameter.
  • His mood varies by the hour.
    The sine function varies between &
  • x2212;1 and 1.
  • * Addison
  • While fear and anger, with alternate grace, / Pant in her breast, and vary in her face.
  • (of the members of a group) To display differences.
  • ''The sprouting tendency of potatoes varies between cultivars, years and places of growing.
  • To be or act different from the usual.
  • I'm not comfortable with 3.Nc3 in the Caro-Kann, so I decided to vary and play exd5.
  • To make of different kinds; to make different from one another; to diversity; to variegate.
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
  • God hath varied their inclinations.
  • * Milton
  • God hath here / Varied his bounty so with new delights.
  • (music) To embellish; to change fancifully; to present under new aspects, as of form, key, measure, etc. See variation .
  • (obsolete) To disagree; to be at variance or in dissension.
  • * Webster (1623)
  • the rich jewel which we vary for

    Noun

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Alteration; change.
  • (Shakespeare)

    Anagrams

    * ----

    contend

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • to strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.
  • * Bible, Deuteronomy ii. 9
  • The Lord said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle.
  • * Shakespeare
  • 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.
  • * Dryden
  • You sit above, and see vain men below / Contend for what you only can bestow.
  • to strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.
  • * John Locke
  • The question which our author would contend for.
  • * Dr H. More
  • Many things he fiercely contended about were trivial.

    Synonyms

    * struggle, fight, combat, vie, strive, oppose, emulate, contest, litigate, dispute, debate