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

Both compete in the EuroLeague at the moment, but have not re-signed their licenses to return to the league next season. —Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026

Just getting to this point, where competing in meaningful games on national television is the norm, is a sign of the culture shift within the Charlotte Hornets. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026

Health care providers regularly transfer those patients elsewhere, competing for spaces in other counties. —Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026

Phil Mickelson also withdrew for family health reasons, marking the first time since 1994 that neither golf legend is competing at Augusta National. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 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