competitive
adjective
com·pet·i·tive
kəm-ˈpe-tə-tiv 
1
: relating to, characterized by, or based on competition
competitive sports
a competitive marketplace
2
: inclined, desiring, or suited to compete
a competitive personality
competitive interest rates
3
: depending for effectiveness on the relative concentration of two or more substances
competitive inhibition of an enzyme
competitively
adverb
competitiveness
noun
Examples of competitive in a Sentence
She is a very competitive player.
You need a degree to be competitive in today's job market.
Recent Examples on the Web
Considering the short window between series, MLB obviously would need to have this all planned out — from both a logistical and competitive perspective — well ahead of time.
—
Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2025
But, the spirit of competitive excellence from his team has fueled an unquenchable thirst .
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
While the situation was resolved quickly, the unexpected presence of a pet left behind—albeit temporarily—offered a humorous contrast to the stress many face trying to purchase homes in today's competitive housing market in the United States.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
The 2008 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest was a turning point in Chestnut's career — and one of the most dramatic moments in competitive eating history.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for competitive
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Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2025
But, the spirit of competitive excellence from his team has fueled an unquenchable thirst .
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
While the situation was resolved quickly, the unexpected presence of a pet left behind—albeit temporarily—offered a humorous contrast to the stress many face trying to purchase homes in today's competitive housing market in the United States.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
The 2008 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest was a turning point in Chestnut's career — and one of the most dramatic moments in competitive eating history.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for competitive
Cite this Entry
“Competitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competitive. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
competitive
adjective
com·pet·i·tive
kəm-ˈpet-ət-iv
: relating to, characterized by, or based on competition
competitive sports
competitive bidding
competitively
adverb
competitiveness
noun
Medical Definition
competitive
adjective
com·pet·i·tive
kəm-ˈpet-ət-iv
: depending for effectiveness on the relative concentration of two or more substances
competitive inhibition of an enzyme
competitive protein binding
competitively
adverb
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