compete

verb

com·​pete kəm-ˈpēt How to pronounce compete (audio)
competed; competing
Synonyms of compete

intransitive verb

: to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (such as position, profit, or a prize) : be in a state of rivalry
competing teams
companies competing for customers

Synonyms of compete

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Examples of compete in a Sentence

Thousands of applicants are competing for the same job. She competed against students from around the country. We are competing with companies that are twice our size. Did you compete in the track meet on Saturday? The radio and the television were both on, competing for our attention.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The single-aisle jet, which can have up to 230 seats, was introduced at the Paris Air Show in 2017 to help Boeing compete with rival Airbus. — Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026 America's ability to compete internationally, which has become a central argument for expanding AI infrastructure, ranks much lower. — Will Johnson, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 Future success will require Space42 to turn its technological capabilities, capital commitments and international partnerships into commercially viable services that can compete across markets at scale and at a sustainable cost. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 According to Boeing, the aircraft offers 365 nautical miles more range than competing aircraft without auxiliary fuel tanks. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compete

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin competere to seek together, from Latin, to come together, agree, be suitable, from com- + petere to go to, seek — more at feather

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compete was in 1620

Phrases Containing compete

Rhymes for compete

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Browse Nearby Words

compesce
compete
competence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compete. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

compete

verb
com·​pete kəm-ˈpēt How to pronounce compete (audio)
competed; competing
: to strive for something (as a prize or reward) for which another is also striving : contest
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