compete

verb

com·​pete kəm-ˈpēt How to pronounce compete (audio)
competed; competing

intransitive verb

: to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (such as position, profit, or a prize) : be in a state of rivalry
competing teams
companies competing for customers

Examples of compete in a Sentence

Thousands of applicants are competing for the same job. She competed against students from around the country. We are competing with companies that are twice our size. Did you compete in the track meet on Saturday? The radio and the television were both on, competing for our attention.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One of those women, an unidentified current cross country runner, shared her experience of having to compete against one of those athletes during the hearing. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024 In September 2020, Wilson decided to make the switch and signed to compete in acrobatics and tumbling at Oregon. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024 Weeks of polling had showed the candidates competing in a razor-close election, but in the end Trump won over enough pivotal states with his focus on inflation and immigration. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024 The weight loss drug boom is here, and even retailers like Walmart are starting to feel the pressure to compete. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for compete 

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin competere to seek together, from Latin, to come together, agree, be suitable, from com- + petere to go to, seek — more at feather

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compete was in 1620

Dictionary Entries Near compete

Cite this Entry

“Compete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compete. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

compete

verb
com·​pete kəm-ˈpēt How to pronounce compete (audio)
competed; competing
: to strive for something (as a prize or reward) for which another is also striving : contest

More from Merriam-Webster on compete

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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