compete

verb

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

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 of compete

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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.
When Messi was introduced, applause competed with the silence of fans raising their phones. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 20 July 2026 Employers compete for talent, cities compete for residents, and workers increasingly choose communities that offer access to parks, waterfronts, outdoor recreation, and alternatives to car-dependent travel. — Andrew Kimball, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026 Most importantly, this is a really solid bourbon that can compete with entry level bottles from Kentucky legacy names like Jim Beam, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, or Heaven Hill. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 July 2026 And on the East Coast, all those guys competed with each other. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026 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

Phrases Containing compete

Rhymes for compete

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Browse Nearby Words

compesce
compete
competence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compete. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of compete for Spanish Speakers

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