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intense competition

intense competition

3 3.7
A strong struggle between people to get the same job or prize
  • noun
  • /ɪnˈtɛns kəmˈpɛtɪʃən/
translation icon : competencia intensa
  • Given the intense competition for scarce resources in most states, this finding should not be surprising.
  • intense competition for resources

And we think it's the intense competition that makes the beetles so well adapted to rolling balls of dung.

Examples

  • Intense competition among state-owned, privately owned, and foreign-invested enterprises for rapidly expanding export markets brought huge benefits.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The reason was intense competition for resources by nations with rapidly rising levels of industrialization and personal wealth.

    Academic text (2010)
  • There is now intense competition to get the games.

    Academic text (1994)
  • With this growth in the number of providers of legal services, there was no way to prevent intense competition for business from developing.

    Academic text (1997)
  • There was the inevitable struggle for funding, in a situation where there was intense competition for limited Defense resources.

  • Currently, fuel cell transportation provides an arena for intense competition around the world.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Shortages of facilities and intense competition for limited resources may also precipitate crime and violence in developing country cities.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The new business is thriving despite the intense competition from larger companies.

  • In the world of sports, intense competition pushes athletes to reach their full potential.

  • The intense competition for top talent in the tech industry makes it hard for startups to attract skilled workers.

Synonyms

contest
vsintense competition
2.4

A competition between people or groups to win something

is more ongoing and demanding than a one-off event
struggle
vsintense competition
290 2.9

A serious fight between groups to gain control

focuses on trying to outperform others under high difficulty
rivalry
vsintense competition
102 2.8

Competition between people or groups who try to be more successful for the same goal

is much tougher and more demanding in effort and pressure
contention
vsintense competition
21 5.7

A competition between people for something like a prize or job

is harsher and requires greater effort and endurance

Antonyms

150 4.0

Working together with others to reach a shared goal

How Competitive

intense competition
3 3.7
contest
2.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

intense + competition

The meaning 'a situation of very strong rivalry' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'intense' (very strong) with 'competition' (rivalry). This adjective+noun composition follows standard compositional patterns and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Intense competition paints a picture of people or teams pushing hard against each other: intense means very strong, like heat or pressure, and competition is a contest between rivals. So, it describes a contest that is 'very strong' and 'demanding'.