In this English vocabulary question, select the antonym (opposite in meaning) of the phrasal verb "to contend".

Introduction / Context:

This question tests your understanding of antonyms, specifically for the verb phrase "to contend". In English, "to contend" typically means to argue, to struggle, or to compete against someone or something. You must choose the option that expresses the opposite idea, that is, a word or phrase that suggests yielding, accepting, or not resisting.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Target word: "to contend".

- Options: "to comply", "to oppugn", "to grapple", "to vie".

- Exactly one option should convey an opposite meaning to "to contend".

- The options are all verbs that relate in some way to conflict, struggle, or agreement.

Concept / Approach:

To find an antonym, first clearly recall the sense of the given word. "To contend" means to assert something in argument, or to struggle or compete, especially against difficulties or opponents. The opposite of struggling, arguing, or competing would be submitting, agreeing, or yielding without resistance. Therefore, we should search among the options for a term that indicates agreement or obedience rather than opposition or struggle. Recognising prefixes and common meanings of verbs is very helpful here.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

We can test the words in simple example sentences. "They contended with the new rules" suggests they opposed or argued about them. The opposite sentence would be "They complied with the new rules", indicating acceptance and obedience. Similarly, "The teams contended for the trophy" means they competed, while an opposite idea would be that a team simply complied or yielded without competition. This comparison confirms that "to comply" is the natural antonym among the choices.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

"to oppugn" means to oppose or attack in argument, which is very close in sense to "to contend", not the opposite. "to grapple" involves struggling physically or mentally with something difficult; again, this is similar in spirit to contending. "to vie" directly means to compete, just like "to contend for a prize". All three of these emphasise struggle or opposition, so they cannot serve as antonyms. Only "to comply" expresses willing agreement instead of active struggle.

Common Pitfalls:

Students may confuse near-synonyms with antonyms when they do not read the question carefully. Because words like "oppugn", "grapple", and "vie" all sound forceful, they can be mistakenly selected if the candidate simply looks for strong or formal words. Another pitfall is not knowing rarer words like "oppugn" and therefore guessing at their meaning. A systematic approach of recalling the core sense of the target word, then matching or opposing that sense carefully, is essential for accurate answers in vocabulary questions.

Final Answer:

The antonym of "to contend" among the given options is "to comply".