What does "compete" mean?
To be in battle or in a rivalry with another for the same thing, position, or reward; to contend.
Compete
/kəmˈpiːt/ verb
verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To be in battle or in a rivalry with another for the same thing, position, or reward; to contend.
- Grammar: compete is listed as verb.
- Nearest alternatives: contend, vie, antagonize, approach.
- Useful contrasts: communal decision making approach, cooperative activity energy sharing, mutual aim.
- Usage evidence: We used to compete furiously in college.
How to use "compete"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "compete" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "compete" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "compete" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "compete" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "compete" is acting as verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "contend" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "compete", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To be in battle or in a rivalry with another for the same thing, position, or reward; to contend.
"Negga, who was born in Ethiopia but grew up in Limerick, already has a clutch of Best Actress nominations under her belt for Loving but this is the most high profile to date. She's won rave reviews for her performance since the movie's premiere at Cannes in May, where it competed for the Palme d'Or."
- 2 compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others wordnet
- 3 To be in a position in which it is possible to win or triumph.
"Now, when it comes to meeting the larger challenges we face as a nation, I realize that finding this unity is easier said than done – especially in Washington. But if we want to compete on the world stage as well as we’ve competed in the world’s games, we need to find common ground."
- 4 To take part in a contest, game or similar event.
- 5 To strive to achieve or obtain something which another also strives for, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
Antonyms
communal decision making approachcooperative activity energy sharingmutual aimnearby partner
Example
"We used to compete furiously in college."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "compete"?
Common synonyms include: contend, vie, antagonize, approach, attempt, battle.
How do you use "compete" in a sentence?
We used to compete furiously in college.
How do you pronounce "compete"?
Pronounced /kəmˈpiːt/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French competer, from Latin competere (“to coincide, to be equal to, to be capable of”), from com- (“with”) + petō (“I seek, I aim for, I strive for”). Compare Latin competītor (“competitor”).