compete

verb

com·​pete kəm-ˈpēt 

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

Synonyms

• battle
• contend
• face off
• fight
• race
• rival
• vie

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

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

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

Phrases Containing compete

• can't compete

Kids Definition

compete

verb

com·​pete kəm-ˈpēt 

competed; competing

: to strive for something (as a prize or reward) for which another is also striving : contest