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compete

verb com·pete \ kəm-ˈpēt \
|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of compete

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

See compete defined for English-language learners

See compete defined for kids

Examples of compete in a Sentence

  1. Thousands of applicants are competing for the same job.

  2. She competed against students from around the country.

  3. We are competing with companies that are twice our size.

  4. Did you compete in the track meet on Saturday?

  5. The radio and the television were both on, competing for our attention.

Recent Examples of compete from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compete.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of compete

Late Latin competere to seek together, from Latin, to come together, agree, be suitable, from com- + petere to go to, seek — more at feather

compete Synonyms

Synonyms

battle, contend, face off, fight, race, rival, vie;

Related Words

challenge, engage, play;

jockey, jostle, maneuver;

go out, try out;

train, work;

Phrases Related to COMPETE

Related Phrases

COMPETE Defined for English Language Learners

compete

verb

Definition of compete for English Language Learners

  • : to try to get or win something (such as a prize or reward) that someone else is also trying to win : to try to be better or more successful than someone or something else

  • : to try to be noticed, accepted, or chosen over something else

COMPETE Defined for Kids

compete

verb com·pete \ kəm-ˈpēt \

Definition of compete for Students

competed; competing
: to strive for something (as a prize or a reward) for which another is also striving

Learn More about compete

  1. See words that rhyme with compete Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for compete Spanish Central: Translation of compete Nglish: Translation of compete for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of compete for Arabic speakers

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