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

This put pressure on the industry to develop technological solutions as companies competed to develop better products. —Susan Solomon, WIRED, 14 Dec. 2024

Looking ahead to 2025, Muniz will compete full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 33 Ford F-150 for Reaume Brothers Racing. —Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024

Midshipmen and cadets will compete in four different competitions and the team that wins the most points will be honored at halftime of the football game on Saturday. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024

As Judge Nelson observed, the two chains have assiduously competed with each other for years, tracking each others’ prices in an effort to seize market share. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 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