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 Crawford’s desire to compete had become secondary to the need to rehabilitate. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 Outside stadiums before games, fans from competing nations often pose for photos together, holding up their respective flags. Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 6 July 2026 Recently, Beijing hosted the RoBoLeague World Robot Soccer League, where fully autonomous humanoid robots competed in what organizers called the world’s first 3-on-3 soccer match without human intervention. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026 He was expected to compete on LaFamilia, the University of Kentucky’s alumni team, in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) this summer. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for compete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compete
Verb
  • Prosecutors contend the shooting endangered others at Kirk’s campus event — an aggravating circumstance that could make the crime punishable by death under Utah law.
    Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Cardwell has anchored the defense for a team that could contend for its second Summer League championship in six years after winning the tournament in 2021.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • When White Sox starter Davis Martin threw a wild pitch during Contreras’ at-bat, Seigler broke for home as catcher Kyle Teel raced to corral the ball and back, hoping to beat the runner to the plate.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026
  • However, Tolbert raced over and made a leaping catch to negate extra bases.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • Defense attorneys unsuccessfully fought the public release of the statements from Twiggs and the chat room messages.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • Environmental advocates and leaders of Native tribes, who have been fighting the project, criticized the decision.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • The Three Lions battled back from a goal down to beat Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32 with a pair of late goals by Harry Kane.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
  • Key Background Tensions between Musk and Altman are at a high as their AI companies battle for supremacy.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Compete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compete. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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