competition

n.

1. The act of competing

   rivalry, contention, contest, striving, strife, struggle, emulation, vying, controversy, coping with, opposition, pairing off, meeting, engagement, candidacy, racing, trial, contest for advantage, pitting of strength, pitting of wits, combat, fight, conflict, attempt to outsell, rivalry for patronage, attempt at betterment, clash, counteraction, antagonism, wrestling, tug of war*, one-upmanship*, rat race*. *

   Antonyms partnership, alliance*, cooperation. *

2. An instance of competition

   race, match, contest, game, meet, matchup, fight, bout, boxing match, game of skill, trial, sport, athletic event, championship, tournament, tilt, joust, debate, encounter, rumpus*, tangle*; see also game 1, sport 3.

3. Competitor or competitors

   rival(s), opposition, the field; see contestant, opponent 1.

competition denotes a striving for the same object, position, prize, etc., often in accordance with certain fixed rules; rivalry implies keen competition between opponents more or less evenly matched, and, unqualified, it often suggests unfriendliness or even hostility; emulation implies endeavor to equal or surpass another, usually one greatly admired, in achievement, character, etc.