compete

[kuhm-peet]

verb (used without object)

competed, competing 

1. to strive to outdo another for acknowledgment, a prize, supremacy, profit, etc.; engage in a contest; vie: to compete in business.

   to compete in a race;

   to compete in business.

   Synonyms: struggle

compete

/ kəmˈpiːt /

verb

1. to contend (against) for profit, an award, athletic supremacy, etc; engage in a contest (with)

Other Word Forms

• competer noun
• competingly adverb
• noncompeting adjective
• outcompete verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of compete¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin competere “to meet, coincide, be fitting, suffice” ( Late Latin: “to seek, ask for”), equivalent to com- “with, together” + petere “to seek”; com-. The Late Latin and English senses were influenced by competitor

Word History and Origins

Origin of compete¹

C17: from Late Latin competere to strive together, from Latin: to meet, come together, agree, from com- together + petere to seek

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cannot/can't compete with, to not be, by a great degree, as good or capable as (someone or something else).

   These roses are lovely, but they can’t compete with the ones we grew back home in Ecuador.

Synonym Study

Compete, contend, contest mean to strive to outdo or excel. Compete implies having a sense of rivalry and of striving to do one's best as well as to outdo another: to compete for a prize. Contend suggests opposition or disputing as well as rivalry: to contend with an opponent, against obstacles. Contest suggests struggling to gain or hold something, as well as contending or disputing: to contest a position or ground ( in battle ); to contest a decision.

Example Sentences

“Loan officers who are competing for business will often quote lower rates in order to get a customer’s business.”

From Salon

Effective public health messaging – which has drilled "Slip, Slop, Slap" into their heads – competes with a beauty culture which often idolises bronzed skin.

From BBC

Polls have suggested that the party is competing to come first in next year's Senedd election.

From BBC

As part of its findings, it said Google had intentionally boosted its own advertising exchange, AdX, over competing exchanges where ads are bought and sold in real-time.

From BBC

I need convincing they can compete with Arsenal and Chelsea but I see no reasons why they can't qualify for the Champions League.

From BBC

Related Words

• battle 
• challenge 
• clash 
• contend 
• contest 
• face 
• fight 
• play 
• spar 
• try 
• vie 
• wrestle