uncompetitive

adjective

un·​com·​pet·​i·​tive ˌən-kəm-ˈpe-tə-tiv 

: not competitive : unable to compete

The only real alternative would be to protect those uncompetitive industries against foreign competition.

—Business Week

Greene took his latest Courageous to Australia for the current race, but he says he withdrew it when it proved uncompetitive against other boats backed by fatter treasuries.

—John Rousmaniere

uncompetitiveness noun

Examples of uncompetitive in a Sentence

As long as the school system keeps offering uncompetitive wages, people looking for jobs will apply elsewhere.

Recent Examples on the Web

Overpriced and under-equipped, it was hamstrung by everything from uncompetitive technology to a ludicrous name. —Mark Phelan, USA Today, 2 June 2025

The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission have launched a public comment period in their inquiry into unfair and uncompetitive practices in ticketing in the live concert and event business. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 May 2025

However, this method involves very expensive gear upgrades, which would render the lobster industry uncompetitive. —Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Oakland’s bloated structure drains millions from classrooms, keeps teacher salaries uncompetitive and spreads resources dangerously thin. —Anne Campbell Washington, Mercury News, 16 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uncompetitive

• noncompetitive
• anticompetitive
• appetitive
• competitive
• repetitive

Kids Definition

uncompetitive

adjective

un·​com·​pet·​i·​tive ˌən-kəm-ˈpet-ət-iv 

: not competitive : unable to compete

uncompetitiveness noun