as in competitive
having or marked by a strong desire to win or be better than others
The competing salespeople were all trying to lure the same customers.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in contending
to engage in a contest
prizefighters competing for the world heavyweight championship
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 competing
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Men’s singles champion Jannik Sinner of Italy and women’s singles champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus return to defend their titles, along with American tennis stars Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys and more competing.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2025
Everybody's always looking, curious, competing and that's a really difficult thing, especially for a female actor.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent — teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 29 July 2025
However, competing service providers like AT&T fiber internet often offer faster speeds, unlimited data, fewer fees and longer price guarantees for just a bit more per month.
—Kara McGinley, USA Today, 4 July 2025
Since launching strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran on Saturday, competing reports have emerged on how significant the damage is.
—Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 27 June 2025
Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent—teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Bloomberg During a combative House committee hearing on immigration policy Thursday, Republicans and Democrats offered competing portraits of a United States under siege.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 12 June 2025
Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Critics say both votes were marred by irregularities, including challengers being barred from competing.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Amazon is competing with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Meta and others.
—Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead, we have been asked to choose between two competing narratives of the founding.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Post-pandemic demand and chronic underbuilding in the area have left buyers competing fiercely, often bidding tens of thousands above asking.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
The candidates are competing to replace Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who is reaching the end of his term limit.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
That year, Hecox wanted to join the women's cross-country team at Boise State, and had the state's law to prevent trans athletes from competing in women's sports blocked.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Teams collaborated instead of competing.
—Cas Holman, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The Department intends to stop funding both 2025 new awards and non-competing continuations for these seven grant programs.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Men’s singles champion Jannik Sinner of Italy and women’s singles champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus return to defend their titles, along with American tennis stars Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys and more competing.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2025
Everybody's always looking, curious, competing and that's a really difficult thing, especially for a female actor.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent — teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 29 July 2025
However, competing service providers like AT&T fiber internet often offer faster speeds, unlimited data, fewer fees and longer price guarantees for just a bit more per month.
—Kara McGinley, USA Today, 4 July 2025
Since launching strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran on Saturday, competing reports have emerged on how significant the damage is.
—Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 27 June 2025
Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent—teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Bloomberg During a combative House committee hearing on immigration policy Thursday, Republicans and Democrats offered competing portraits of a United States under siege.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 12 June 2025
Verb
As a result, the Miss Universe Organization revoked her title for breaching contractual obligations by competing in another external pageant before finishing her reign.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Critics say both votes were marred by irregularities, including challengers being barred from competing.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Amazon is competing with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Meta and others.
—Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead, we have been asked to choose between two competing narratives of the founding.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Post-pandemic demand and chronic underbuilding in the area have left buyers competing fiercely, often bidding tens of thousands above asking.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
The candidates are competing to replace Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who is reaching the end of his term limit.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
That year, Hecox wanted to join the women's cross-country team at Boise State, and had the state's law to prevent trans athletes from competing in women's sports blocked.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Teams collaborated instead of competing.
—Cas Holman, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for competing
Adjective
-
Sherrill’s Narrow Lead Holds Across Most Polls Across 10 surveys conducted from late September to mid-October, Sherrill’s lead ranges from one to eight points, underscoring a competitive contest.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
In Round 2, the numbers were still competitive, but Jandiroba caught Dern with a knee and bloodied her up.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Baltimore won a playoff game last season and entered 2025 with expectations of contending for a Super Bowl title.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Colombia disputes this, contending that Santa Rosa did not exist when the treaty was signed and therefore cannot be claimed under its terms.—
Isa Cardona,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But its growing strategic partnership with the US, which has deepened through the Quad security grouping, is equally vital to counter to its rival China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
-
In six days, the Chiefs will take on the rival Buffalo Bills on the road.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the idea that Earhart ended up an island castaway is far from widely accepted, and another team of researchers is racing to close in on proof of an alternate explanation.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The footage shows the suspect racing along the 210 Freeway in San Bernardino County at speeds topping 150 mph.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Bring along a non-driving guest to enjoy the hotel part of the program for $350.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
9 Sep. 2025
-
New Jersey, ranking third, also has strict driving laws and the third-most driving schools per capita.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
That’s after the consumer price index for September inched up but came in below forecasts, clearing the way for the Fed to focus more on the maximum-employment side of its mandate than the inflation-fighting side.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
In reality, while the ceasefire has paused fighting and allowed limited humanitarian access, the deal leaves major issues unresolved — including Hamas’ future role, the disarmament question, and the political control of Gaza.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Continue reading … ‘FRAUD’ – California governor faces backlash over 'hustling' upbringing claims.—
,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Union Pacific is hustling to file its application to merge with Norfolk Southern to government regulators well ahead of schedule.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of a tie game, the Leafs were battling for a loose puck.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Taylor Swift is keeping her giving streak going by donating a life-changing chunk of change to Lilah, a 2-year-old Swiftie who’s battling brain cancer.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Competing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/competing. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share