Thesaurus results for COMPETE

compete

verb

kəm-ˈpēt

Definition of compete

as in to contend

to engage in a contest prizefighters competing for the world heavyweight championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Jaelan Phillips, Pat Jones and Princely Umanmielen will lead the group, while journeyman Trevis Gipson and Thomas Incoom — the only other outside linebacker from the 2024 season remaining — will compete with Gill for snaps. — Mike Kaye july 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026 Karan Johar returns to host the season, in which 21 celebrities from various fields will compete in a game built around trust, betrayal and deception. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 July 2026 The exterior is dramatic, but the architecture does not compete with the people inside. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The one who can jump, pass, move, compete and see space, but has never been handed an oval ball. — Daniel Gallan, New York Times, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for compete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compete

Verb

Decisions on matters such as war, citizenship, exile and capital punishment were made in the assemblies and courts, where citizens heard contending speeches and voted immediately afterwards.

— Richard Yanowitch, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
Pitching is always in high demand at the trade deadline and Garrett would be an option as a back end of the rotation starter or a swingman for a contending team.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Definition of contend

Verb

If your body has been asking you in a few ways to slow down (like feeling a cough coming on, or a tiredness that won’t shake off), stop fighting against what your body or heart is trying to tell you.

— Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
Only one helicopter was able to scoop water from the sea to fight the blaze.

— Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of fight

Verb

Firefighters are battling 10 large fires across that Washington State with more than 425,000 acres of land already burned this year, a state official said Saturday.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
After battling back-and-forth in a brutal Hell in a Cell match, Femi picked up yet another career-defining victory over Lesnar.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Browse Nearby Words

compensations

compete

competed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Compete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compete. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of compete

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on compete

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

mitigate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes