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

Yet there’s also an avalanche of more urgent issues competing for officials’ attention, like federal agents’ killing of a US citizen on Saturday. —Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Jan. 2026

About a decade ago, Sajwan bought a firm producing the dye in Germany for another health-care investment, but the company couldn’t secure regulatory approvals — a common challenge for firms competing in the fluorescent dye market. —Bernadette Toh, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026

The club’s stated aims are to compete for European qualification and a first major trophy. —Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026

McCoy was expected to compete for the Aggies' Sunday starter spot and at least be a key part of the bullpen in 2026. —Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 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