Synonyms of competition

competition

noun

ˌkäm-pə-ˈti-shən 

1

as in tournament

a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize

a competition between two fierce football rivals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tournament
• event
• game
• contest
• match
• championship
• sport
• tourney
• bout
• sweepstakes
• matchup
• meet
• battle
• race
• athletics
• skirmish
• semifinal
• tussle
• tug-of-war
• struggle
• derby
• scrimmage
• conflict
• final
• open
• triathlon
• outing
• play-off
• marathon
• heat
• gymkhana
• pentathlon
• round
• decathlon
• biathlon
• runoff
• field day
• rubber
• ultramarathon
• national(s)
• heptathlon
• round-robin
• volley
• sudden death
• seesaw
• dead heat
• rally
• nightcap
• run
• set
• photo finish
• classic

2

as in contestant

one who strives for the same thing as another

tried to analyze his major competition in the tennis tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contestant
• competitor
• contender
• rival
• challenger
• finalist
• corrival
• entrant
• entry
• player
• archrival
• semifinalist
• opponent
• adversary
• also-ran
• antagonist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• teammate
• ally
• collaborator
• noncompetitor
• supporter
• backer

3

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another

the intense competition for bragging rights to being the city's best French restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rivalry
• battle
• struggle
• contest
• duel
• contention
• confrontation
• warfare
• conflict
• war
• match
• strife
• showdown
• combat
• clash
• tug-of-war
• face-off
• ball game
• dogfight
• sweepstakes
• debate
• grapple
• friction
• dispute
• disputation
• horse race
• collision
• discord
• argument
• controversy
• quarrel
• nail-biter
• row
• disagreement
• dissension
• wrangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• harmony
• concord

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of competition

But, citing a need for competition and consumer choice, Accra amended Next Gen Infraco’s license in March. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 17 July 2026

In 1936 the company organized a public competition to select a new logo. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026

Farhadi returns to Sarajevo eight years after serving as President of the Jury for the festival’s feature film competition in 2018, where his film Everybody Knows was screened in the Open Air program. — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 17 July 2026

The hybrid nonfiction film, which world premiered in competition in the Burning Lights section at Visions du Réel earlier this year, will be introduced to buyers as the company continues building its documentary slate. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026