Competitive Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

By Team ABJ

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Competitive synonyms are words that share similar meanings with “competitive,” describing situations where people or things strive to outdo each other. In simpler terms, they’re like friends with common qualities. Words such as “ambitious,” “driven,” and “innovative” are competitive synonyms, reflecting individuals or activities focused on achieving success. Just like in a game, where players aim to win, these words highlight a shared spirit of enthusiasm and effort. Understanding these synonyms helps us express ideas more vividly, showing the diverse ways we can describe people, activities, or situations that involve healthy rivalry and the pursuit of excellence.

Explore: Meaning of competitive

Competitive synonyms

1. Competitive (general sense):

  • Rivalrous
  • Contesting
  • Vying
  • Striving
  • Opposing

2. Competitive (economic/business context):

  • Commercial
  • Market-driven
  • Profit-oriented
  • Businesslike
  • Market-oriented

3. Competitive (sports context):

  • Sporting
  • Contesting
  • Athletic
  • Rival
  • Game-faced

4. Competitive (academic context):

  • Ambitious
  • Scholarly
  • Academically driven
  • Knowledge-seeking
  • High-achieving

5. Competitive (personality trait):

  • Driven
  • Ambitious
  • Determined
  • Type-A
  • Goal-oriented

6. Competitive (in a negative or aggressive sense):

  • Cutthroat
  • Aggressive
  • Ruthless
  • Hostile
  • Mercenary

Other synonyms of competitive:

fiercedog-eat-dogcut-throat
combativecontentiousinsistent
drivingpushingzealous
keenpushygo-ahead
competingdiligenthungry
motivateddynamicanimated
eagerindustriousenterprising
spiritedhustlingenergetic
scrappy

Competitive antonyms

1. General Antonym:

  • Cooperative
  • Collaborative
  • Non-competitive
  • Uncompetitive
  • Non-rivalrous

2. Economic/Business Antonym:

  • Non-commercial
  • Non-profit-oriented

3. Sports Antonym:

  • Amateur
  • Recreational
  • Friendly

4. Academic Antonym:

  • Non-ambitious
  • Non-achievement-oriented

5. Personality Trait Antonym:

  • Easygoing
  • Relaxed
  • Laid-back

6. Negative/Aggressive Antonym:

  • Non-aggressive
  • Non-hostile

Other antonyms of competitive:

gentlemanlyapatheticdisinterested
indifferentuninterestedcasual
apatheticunenthusiasticunexcited
easygoing

Examples of competitive in sentences

Vary the pace and include different kinds of activities. Many students with ADHD do well with competitive games or other activities that are rapid and intense. [HelpGuide]

In contrast with communal narcissists, antagonistic narcissists take a highly competitive approach to social interactions. [HelpGuide]

Being competitive can be good when it helps you push yourself. However, it can become a problem when taken too far. [WikiHow]

If a competitive person is trying to attack you, you are well within the realm of decorum to defend yourself. [WikiHow]

More examples:

In the business world, staying innovative and offering top-notch services is essential to remain competitive in today’s dynamic market.

As a highly competitive athlete, Sarah trained rigorously for months to prepare for the upcoming championship.

The academic environment was incredibly competitive, with students constantly striving to outperform each other in exams and projects.

The job market has become increasingly competitive, requiring candidates to showcase not only their qualifications but also their unique skills and experiences.

Despite being a competitive industry, the two companies found ways to collaborate and share resources for mutual benefit.

The team adopted a competitive strategy, emphasizing cost-efficiency and quality to gain an edge over rival companies.

As a competitive gamer, Jake spent hours honing his skills and participating in tournaments to climb the ranks in the gaming community.

The restaurant industry is known for being highly competitive, with chefs constantly innovating to create dishes that stand out in a crowded market.

The software development field is characterized by its fast pace and competitive nature, with companies vying to release the latest and most advanced products.

The atmosphere in the courtroom was intense and competitive as the lawyers presented their arguments to win the case.

Related words to competitive

1. Ambitious: Someone who is ambitious has a strong desire to achieve success or reach a high level in their endeavors.

  • Example: Tim is ambitious about his career and aims to become the top salesperson in the company.

2. Driven: Being driven means having a strong motivation or determination to succeed and achieve goals.

  • Example: Lisa is driven to excel in her studies, spending extra hours at the library to understand complex concepts.

3. Goal-oriented: Goal-oriented individuals set specific targets and work towards achieving them.

  • Example: The project team is highly goal-oriented, with each member focused on meeting deadlines and project milestones.

4. Innovative: Innovation involves introducing new ideas, methods, or products to create a competitive advantage.

  • Example: The company encourages an innovative culture, leading to the development of cutting-edge technologies.

5. Dynamic: Something dynamic is characterized by constant change, activity, and energy.

  • Example: The dynamic nature of the startup environment requires employees to adapt quickly to new challenges.

6. Entrepreneurial: Being entrepreneurial involves a willingness to take risks and initiate new ventures or ideas.

  • Example: Mark’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to start his own business, offering unique products in the market.

7. Proactive: Proactive individuals take initiative and anticipate problems, acting to prevent or solve them.

  • Example: The manager’s proactive approach ensured that potential issues were addressed before they became major problems.

8. Innovative Thinking: Innovative thinking involves creative and original ideas that lead to improvements or new solutions.

  • Example: The team encouraged innovative thinking, resulting in a revolutionary design for their product.

9. Market-driven: Market-driven means being responsive to the demands and trends of the market.

  • Example: Successful businesses are often market-driven, adapting their products to meet changing consumer preferences.

10. Self-motivated: A self-motivated person has the inner drive and enthusiasm to accomplish tasks without external pressure.

  • Example: Jane is self-motivated and completes her assignments ahead of schedule without needing constant supervision.

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