hypercompetitive

adjective

hy·​per·​com·​pet·​i·​tive ˌhī-pər-kəm-ˈpe-tə-tiv How to pronounce hypercompetitive (audio)
variants or hyper-competitive
: extremely or excessively competitive
hypercompetitive athletes
learning to adapt quickly in a hypercompetitive industry
… eliminates customers' deep fear that their siblings, neighbors or hyper-competitive co-workers might score sweeter deals on the same vehicles.—James Bennet
hypercompetitiveness noun
or hyper-competitiveness
The latest work offers a counterpoint to the familiar face of nature, that of animal brutality, hypercompetitiveness, selfishness and deceit. —Natalie Angier

Examples of hypercompetitive in a Sentence

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.
Preller is hypercompetitive, doing some of his best work when under heavy duress. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026 Jonathan, who’s become a much better sport since his hypercompetitive brother got bounced, does his best to answer. — Caroline Framke, Vulture, 2 June 2026 Now, researchers are scrambling to survive in a system that’s become both hypercompetitive and opaque. — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026 In the hypercompetitive world of dancehall, a popular riddim is an invitation to brinkmanship, artists big and small jumping on the beat to see who can make the most iconic song. — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hypercompetitive

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypercompetitive was in 1914

Rhymes for hypercompetitive

See All Rhymes for hypercompetitive

Browse Nearby Words

hypercoagulability
hypercompetitive
hypercomplex
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hypercompetitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypercompetitive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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