Synonyms of competition

competition

noun

ˌkäm-pə-ˈti-shən 

1

as in tournament

a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize

a competition between two fierce football rivals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tournament
• event
• game
• contest
• match
• championship
• sport
• tourney
• bout
• sweepstakes
• matchup
• meet
• battle
• race
• athletics
• skirmish
• semifinal
• tussle
• tug-of-war
• struggle
• derby
• scrimmage
• conflict
• final
• open
• triathlon
• outing
• play-off
• marathon
• heat
• gymkhana
• pentathlon
• round
• decathlon
• biathlon
• runoff
• field day
• rubber
• ultramarathon
• national(s)
• heptathlon
• round-robin
• volley
• sudden death
• seesaw
• dead heat
• rally
• nightcap
• run
• set
• photo finish
• classic

2

as in contestant

one who strives for the same thing as another

tried to analyze his major competition in the tennis tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contestant
• competitor
• contender
• rival
• challenger
• finalist
• corrival
• entrant
• entry
• player
• archrival
• semifinalist
• opponent
• adversary
• also-ran
• antagonist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• teammate
• ally
• collaborator
• noncompetitor
• supporter
• backer

3

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another

the intense competition for bragging rights to being the city's best French restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rivalry
• battle
• struggle
• contest
• duel
• contention
• confrontation
• warfare
• conflict
• war
• match
• strife
• showdown
• combat
• clash
• tug-of-war
• face-off
• ball game
• dogfight
• sweepstakes
• debate
• grapple
• friction
• dispute
• disputation
• horse race
• collision
• discord
• argument
• controversy
• quarrel
• nail-biter
• row
• disagreement
• dissension
• wrangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• harmony
• concord

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of competition

As a solution for both customer and IT service, Atlassian Service Collection faces some stiff competition. — John Brandon, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026

Busia said competition for critical minerals is now pushing mining companies to link their investments more directly to development in producing countries. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 24 July 2026

Fierce competition The third Sunday of every month, SPW hosts its main fighting event at Soccer World in Elk Grove. — Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

When setting prices, Apple certainly cares about conventional demand-side factors, such as unit sales, revenues, competition, and consumers’ willingness to pay. — Srikanth Jagabathula, Fortune, 24 July 2026