COMPETITION Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

competition

noun

ˌkäm-pə-ˈti-shən

Definition of competition

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

Relevance

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 competition Mexican negotiators hoped to import the rule of law through protections for investment, competition, and intellectual property. — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie has talked about finding lineups that play well together during preseason competition, but the team’s most intriguing lineups remain a mystery because key players have missed the first two games. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Netflix plans a substantial round of layoffs as the streaming giant faces rising competition and pressure to retain its subscribers, according to people familiar with the job cuts. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 And Instinct’s founder, Noah Shinn, is unfazed by the rising competition. — Allison Johnson, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for competition

Recent Examples of Synonyms for competition

Noun

Paige, who used to play in professional tournaments, pushes the putt only to be one-upped by her partner who pulls her putt to the left.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
The combined company also has rights to professional golf, including the Masters tournament; National Hockey League; Major League Baseball and NCAA basketball, including March Madness, as well as European rights to televise the Olympics.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of tournament

Noun

While traditional family recipes and regional specialities are at the heart of the competition, contestants are pushed outside their comfort zones through challenges inspired by fine dining, street food and international cuisines.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
On the other side of that, there can be some negative talk too, some frustrated fans who think other contestants should still be there.

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of contestant

Noun

And allowing the top seeds to select their opponents in the first two rounds would create compelling storylines, intensify existing rivalries and create new ones.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Better still, they could’ve been forced to navigate a professional rivalry if, say, Roy is expected to support Chelsea’s women’s club.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

YouTube Europe boss Pedro Pina, a fixture at these events, reminded producers that the platform won’t take work away from them by entering the production game.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Her cousin, played by Azam Quadri, turns up without warning after 15 years away, and his visit brings back the events that once split the family.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of event

Noun

If Skydance increases spending on content, that could push its competitors to also invest more, Laurent Yoon, senior analyst at the research and brokerage firm Bernstein, told me.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Headquartered just outside Paris, the 128-year-old French giant is using this platform to prove that traditional European brands can out-innovate the incoming tide of Asian competitors.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of competitor

Noun

In yet another battle between the states and social media platforms, Florida asked a state judge to order changes on Instagram and Facebook in an effort to protect young users.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
At the same time, Hollister was also engaged in a lengthy courtroom battle with Perry and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles over the rights to another property, a Los Feliz convent the singer hoped to turn into a private home.

— Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

YouTube Europe boss Pedro Pina, a fixture at these events, reminded producers that the platform won’t take work away from them by entering the production game.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
The Peacock streaming platform shares its weekly exclusive games on YouTube.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of game

Noun

Luis Antonio Tagle, 69, a Filipino cardinal, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV as the new dean of the College of Cardinals, elevating his profile as a papal contender in the process.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Fall is when studios love to drop some of their juiciest awards-season contenders.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of contender

Browse Nearby Words

competing

competition

competitions

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Competition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competition. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of competition

noun

Example Sentences

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