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

But for her debut narrative feature, which competed for the Un Certain Regard prize at Cannes earlier this year before earning accolades at festivals like Camerimage, British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri drew directly from Indian law. —Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 26 Dec. 2024

For years now, Golden State has tried to delicately walk a tightrope of competing right now around Curry while building a young core the future. —Evan Sidery, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

With Chelsea competing at the top of the table under head coach Enzo Maresca and being in the title race, despite their public protestations to the contrary, a new signing or two could make the difference. —Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024

Like Wiggins, Johnson also grew up playing basketball — even competing at a collegiate level. —Nasha Smith, People.com, 26 Dec. 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