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

Instead, contestants compete for crowd reaction and are rewarded with attention and, in some cases, small cash prizes. — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

A number of performers and countries have called for the exclusion of Israel, which has taken part in Eurovision since 1973, one of a few non-European countries to compete. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

March 21 – April 19 The deadline competing with a relationship promise may need an honest update. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Aries March 21 – April 19 The deadline competing with a relationship promise may need an honest update. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 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