competing
/kəmˈpiːt/ (bre, ipa) · [kəmpˈitɪŋ] /kəmˈpiːt/ (ame, ipa) · /kəmˈpiːtɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [kəmpˈitɪŋ] /kəmˈpiːtɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [kəmpˈitɪŋ] /kəm-ˈpē-tiŋ/ (ame, mw)
competing — verb
- competingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- competings3rd person singular
- competinging-ing form
- competingedpast simple
1. to try to achieve more success, better results, or greater recognition than anot
to try to achieve more success, better results, or greater recognition than another person, company, or group who works in the same area and wants the same thing that you want
Kian's bakery is competing with three other shops for customers on the same street.
compete + with + for + [goal]
Small businesses often struggle when competing against large online retailers.
The two research teams were competing to publish their findings first in a top journal.
Maja felt that she was constantly competing with her older sister for her parents' attention.
The two charities stopped competing and decided to work together instead.
- cooperate
work together toward a shared goal instead of against each other
- collaborate
join forces with others rather than try to beat them
文法句型
compete + with/against + [person/company] + for + [goal]
用法筆記
Often followed by a prepositional phrase with 'with', 'against', or 'for'. The object of competition ('with' or 'against' someone) and the goal ('for' something) can both appear in the same sentence.
常見錯誤
2. to enter an organized race, match, game, or other contest where each participant
to enter an organized race, match, game, or other contest where each participant tries to win by following a fixed set of rules
Hugo has been training for months to compete in the Tokyo Marathon next spring.
compete + in + [event]
Adaeze competed in the national spelling bee at age twelve and finished second.
Joaquín's swim team will compete against five other schools at the regional championship.
Athletes from over ninety countries are competing in this year's World Cup games.
文法句型
compete + in + [event/contest]
用法筆記
The event or contest is introduced by 'in' (compete in the tournament), while opponents are introduced by 'against' (compete against the defending champions). Do not use 'compete' transitively.
常見錯誤
competing — adjective
- competingpositive
- more competingcomparative
- most competingsuperlative
1. referring to situations where two or more things — such as ideas, claims, or dem
referring to situations where two or more things — such as ideas, claims, or demands — cannot all be correct or real together, because accepting one rules out the others
The jury weighed competing accounts of what happened on the night of the accident.
competing accounts / competing claims
Megan faced competing demands when two project deadlines fell on the same day.
Economists offered competing explanations for the sudden rise in inflation rates.
Parents often get competing advice from doctors, teachers, and online sources about raising children.
The two scientific studies reached competing conclusions about the safety of the new drug.
- contradictory
stronger; implies a direct logical impossibility
- conflicting
more common in everyday use; slightly less formal than 'competing'
- incompatible
focuses on the inability to coexist rather than on rivalry
- compatible
able to exist together without conflict
- consistent
in agreement with each other
文法句型
competing + [abstract noun]
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). The noun is always an abstract concept — accounts, theories, interests, demands, explanations — never a concrete object or person.
2. describing companies, products, or services that are each trying to attract the
describing companies, products, or services that are each trying to attract the same customers and gain a larger share of the market
Sumin compared the prices of three competing phone plans before choosing the cheapest one.
competing phone plans / competing products
Two competing supermarket chains opened new branches on opposite sides of the same intersection.
The streaming service lowered its monthly fee to attract customers from competing platforms.
Tamar's startup built a food delivery app as fast as competing services.
Rather than buy from a competing brand, Reema chose a local supplier.
- rival
can be used as both adjective and noun ('rival companies'); common in business contexts
- competitive
describes a market or environment rather than the entities themselves
文法句型
competing + [business noun]
用法筆記
Used before nouns representing commercial entities — brands, companies, products, services, platforms, bids. Not used for individuals competing in sports or games (see OPPOSING entry for that sense).
常見錯誤
3. describing the teams, players, or participants who are officially matched agains
describing the teams, players, or participants who are officially matched against each other in a game, tournament, or similar contest
Sari scored the winning goal against the opposing team from a neighbouring town.
opposing team
Opposing athletes must show identification at the registration desk before the first race.
Darius shook hands with the opposing players after the chess tournament ended.
The referee reminded the opposing schools to follow the safety rules during the swimming relay.
Yara's dance group watched the opposing teams' performances carefully before their own turn on stage.
- cooperating
working together in teams rather than against each other
文法句型
opposing + [team/player/school/group]
用法筆記
This sense refers specifically to the participants in a contest — teams, players, athletes, schools, performers. It differs from MARKET RIVALRY (commercial competition) and CONFLICTING (incompatible ideas). When in doubt, if the noun refers to a person or group taking part in an event, use this sense.