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 of compete

• contend
• race
• fight
• battle

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

Richards, who is competing for a spot on the Heat’s standard roster, totaled 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 shooting from the foul line, five rebounds and one block in 16 minutes in his start for Adebayo. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Dykes is expected to compete for the Big 12 title, and a playoff spot, aspirations set by both he and athletic director Mike Buddie; those put TCU in the Top 25, in good time slots, and in the national conversation. — Mac Engel october 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026

The film will compete for the IDFA Best Film and IDFA Best First Film Award. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

The final status of Jerusalem is one of the core issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the competing claims to east Jerusalem, home to the city’s most important religious sites, have repeatedly erupted into violence. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for compete

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete
• crabmeat

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