competitive

Wanting very strongly to win or do better than other people.

• My brother is very competitive.
• She becomes competitive even during simple board games.
• Were you always this competitive at school?

Opposites: uncompetitive

Common phrases: competitive person, competitive streak, competitive nature

Involving people or businesses trying to succeed against others.

• Teaching jobs are highly competitive here.
• She gave up competitive sport last year.
• The company operates in a very competitive market.

Opposites: noncompetitive

Common phrases: competitive market, competitive sport, competitive industry, competitive environment

Good or low enough to compare well with others and have a chance of success.

• We offer competitive prices.
• The team remained competitive despite several injuries.
• Better tools will help our business stay competitive.

How to use it: competitive with someone/something (Our prices are competitive with those of larger shops.)

Opposites: uncompetitive

Common phrases: competitive price, competitive rates, competitive salary, remain competitive

Reducing another substance’s effect by trying to attach to the same place in a cell or molecule.

• This drug is a competitive antagonist.
• Competitive inhibition slows the enzyme reaction.
• The study compared competitive and noncompetitive inhibitors.

Opposites: noncompetitive

Common phrases: competitive inhibition, competitive inhibitor, competitive antagonist