Definition of competenext
as in to contend
to engage in a contest prizefighters competing for the world heavyweight championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compete This left open the question of whether more complex, loopy geometries would behave differently, while also leaving competing historical theories yet to be disproved. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026 Supporters of the deal back Ellison’s claim that the merger would allow big Hollywood studios to compete with streaming services like Amazon and Netflix which also risk causing a market takeover if not contested. Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026 Experts worry about potential ecological domino effects, as the intruders often compete with or eat native species and throw ecosystems off balance. Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026 These productions aren’t eligible for Tony Awards but compete for the Obie Awards and Lucille Lortel Awards. Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for compete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compete
Verb
  • On the northern portion, the Assessor’s Office contended that a private lake was complete, and the Moyles had put in infrastructure improvements, such as a residential road, sidewalks and electrical boxes.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2026
  • But Mayo contended that the more important development this quarter might be happening away from Wall Street.
    Hugh Son, CNBC, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • Moments later the Tesla Model 3 raced down a residential street in Katy, Texas, at highway speeds, slammed into a brick home and killed a 76-year-old woman standing in the front room.
    Bernard Condon, Fortune, 16 July 2026
  • Jordan Cvetanovski, chairman and chief investment officer at Pella Funds, said demand for AI infrastructure remains strong as companies race to build computing capacity, but signs of speculative excess are beginning to emerge.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Verb
  • The king successfully fought a hundred men and emerged victorious, but not before killing Antinous in Sinon’s name.
    Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • Rhodes fought out of it and dodged a running boot from Gunther.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Both the poem and the film center around Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, who battles his way back home after the Trojan War.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
  • Several firefighters and a worker were injured while battling two other blazes sparked by Iranian strikes, according to the Kuwait Fire Force.
    Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 18 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Compete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compete. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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