Thesaurus results for COMPETE

compete

verb

kəm-ˈpēt

Definition of compete

as in to contend

to engage in a contest prizefighters competing for the world heavyweight championship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 compete Erdogan has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s war in Gaza, and the two countries are now both competing for influence in post-Assad Syria. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 By December 2023, Madix was competing on Dancing with the Stars. — Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026 Taaffe is seemingly competing with Trader for the starting free safety role. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 That investment later swelled to $13 billion as the strategic relationship tightened, but more recently the two companies have been competing on multiple fronts. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compete

Verb

The disclosure contends that, because of the new procedures, a single scanning error in a batch of tens of thousands of ballot envelopes could prevent any from reaching voters.

— Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Defense attorneys contend that because only a single bullet was fired — and struck its target — the crowd was not at risk.

— Bill Chappell, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of contend

Verb

The core experience for me is being in the car, just having a good time, feeling the downforce, feeling the Gs, hearing the sound, and racing the car on a track.

— Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
Now, as companies race to effectively deploy AI into business processes, that model is spreading like wildfire.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of race

Verb

Without a clear message from Warsh, investors began to doubt the Fed’s inflation-fighting resolve.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Federal safety investigators urged automakers to give emergency responders better guides on how to fight lithium-ion battery fires.

— Todd C. Frankel, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Browse Nearby Words

compensations

compete

competed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Compete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compete. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of compete

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes