Business Competition Vocabulary

noun a person, group, or force that opposes or attacks; opponent; enemy; foe

• The lawyer presented strong evidence to prove his client's innocence against the adversary.
• I heard you have a new adversary at work, good luck dealing with them.
• Watch out for that shady dude, he's your new adversary now.
• Fear is my greatest adversary, always holding me back from taking risks.

verb to strive against others in order to win a competition or achieve a goal

• The two companies will compete for the government contract.
• I heard that the two teams will compete in the finals next week.
• I'm gonna compete in the talent show this weekend, wish me luck!
• In the world of business, you have to compete to stay ahead of the game.

noun a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something

adjective belonging to the opposing side in a conflict

• The country is facing a threat from an unknown enemy.
• I heard that Sarah's ex-boyfriend is now her enemy.
• Watch out for that guy, he's your worst enemy.
• Fear is the enemy of progress.

verb to defend against or resist something, typically a threat or attack

• The knight used his shield to fend off the enemy's attack.
• I had to fend off my little brother when he tried to take my phone.
• She knows how to fend off unwanted attention at the club.
• I try to fend off negative thoughts by focusing on positive affirmations.

noun a decisive confrontation or contest

verb N/A

adjective N/A

adverb N/A

pronoun N/A

preposition N/A

conjunction N/A

interjection N/A

article N/A

• The two political leaders are gearing up for a showdown in the upcoming debate.
• There's gonna be a huge showdown between the rival gangs tonight.
• I heard there's gonna be a major showdown at the party this weekend.
• The showdown between good and evil in the movie was intense and gripping.

adjective expressing a threat or conveying a sense of impending harm or danger

• The company received a threatening letter from a competitor's legal team.
• I saw a group of teenagers making threatening gestures towards each other.
• Don't mess with him, he's known for being really threatening when he's angry.
• The storm clouds were threatening in the distance, hinting at a potential downpour.

noun a conflict or struggle between opposing forces or nations

verb to engage in or carry on a war

• The country decided to wage war against its neighboring nation.
• They're really gearing up to wage war on that issue.
• Let's go wage war on those final exams!
• Sometimes it feels like my allergies are waging war on my sinuses.

noun a person who engages in a competition or contest

adjective relating to or characteristic of a challenger

• The challenger presented a well-researched argument during the debate.
• The challenger really gave it their all in the competition.
• That challenger is really bringing their A-game.
• The challenger faced many obstacles on their journey to success.