vie
- 01 C1 Advanced
to compete strongly with other people to get something that only one person can have.
to strive in competition or rivalry with another for superiority or to achieve a specific goal.
Simple“Several young athletes are vying for a spot on the national team.”
In context“In the current economic climate, dozens of qualified candidates are vying for a single entry-level position at the firm.”
UsageUsually followed by the preposition 'for' (the goal) or 'with' (the opponent).
PitfallThe teams are vying the trophy. The teams are vying for the trophy.The verb is intransitive and requires the preposition 'for' when followed by the object of competition.
Antonyms
“The two are vying to fill the Senate seat Marco Rubio won in 2022.”
“Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images Candidates of both parties vying for the state’s four Republican-held US House districts have battled over who would be better suited to channel federal resources to the state’s needs.”
Apheretic form of envy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.