competitive zeal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "competitive zeal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong enthusiasm or eagerness to compete, often in a sports or business context. Example: "Her competitive zeal drove her to train harder than ever before, pushing her limits to achieve her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

The Phillies always respected Oswalt's talent and competitive zeal when he was with Houston.

The New York Times - Sports

He praised Mr. Corn's energy, creativity, competitive zeal and news judgment.

The New York Times

Each would recapture its competitive zeal and gain the freedom to act on it.

The Economist

He still exhibits competitive zeal, and not just on big race days.

The New York Times - Sports

Jousting with Ecclestone next year might satisfy his competitive zeal again.

The Guardian - Sport

They are known as much for their humility as their competitive zeal.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"To many of us then," he recalled later, "design was more than just a profession – we were dedicated, competitive and filled with evangelical zeal".

The Guardian - Arts

The local princes and princesses are almost invariably educated at famous Western business schools (to which they make generous donations) and then polished in well-known Western companies such as McKinsey and J.P. Morgan.Vikram Bhalla, of the Boston Consulting Group, points to an even more important competitive advantage of Asian family businesses: their entrepreneurial zeal.

The Economist

Those who have little taste for religious zeal should welcome a subsidised, non-competitive market in beliefs precisely because it will produce lower-quality religion the one product for which differentiated and customer-pleasing brands yields no increased social good but much potential strife.This was, in fact, David Hume's argument, representing a disagreement with his friend, Adam Smith.

The Economist

Competitive wheelchair racers train with the same discipline and zeal as marathon runners.

The New Yorker

And the construction of a canon — the choice of which poems ought to be assigned to students at various grade levels — grew out of a collision of nationalistic zeal, piety, commercial enterprise (the success or failure of various competitive "readers" — what we would call textbooks), thoughtless imitation, and a fair amount of what looks like happenstance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with actionable verbs. Describing what the zealous entity is doing, such as 'fueled by,' 'demonstrated through,' or 'evident in,' can further enhance the sentence by providing context to showcase the competitiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "competitive zeal" to describe actions that are unethical or overly aggressive. While the phrase implies strong motivation, it should not be associated with unsportsmanlike conduct or unfair tactics. Focus on the positive aspects of striving for success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competitive zeal" functions as a noun phrase, where "competitive" modifies "zeal". It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, denoting a strong enthusiasm for competition. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and readily usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "competitive zeal" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes a strong enthusiasm for competition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, the phrase conveys intensity and drive, making it suitable for formal and neutral registers. While synonyms like "competitive spirit" and "fierce ambition" exist, "competitive zeal" specifically highlights the active and passionate nature of competitiveness. When using this phrase, ensure it reflects positive striving rather than unethical aggression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competitive spirit

Emphasizes the overall attitude and disposition towards competition, rather than just the intensity.

fierce ambition

Highlights the strong desire and determination to achieve success in a competitive environment.

intense rivalry

Focuses on the competitive relationship between individuals or groups, implying a high level of engagement.

driving force

Describes something that strongly motivates someone to pursue their goals in a competitive setting.

burning desire to win

Directly expresses a strong and passionate aspiration to achieve victory.

unyielding determination

Highlights the resolute and persistent nature of someone's competitive efforts.

relentless pursuit of victory

Focuses on the continuous and unwavering effort to achieve success in competition.

cutthroat competitiveness

Implies a ruthless and aggressive approach to competition, often at the expense of others.

high-octane drive

Emphasizes the energy and intensity behind someone's competitive motivation.

win-at-all-costs mentality

Describes a mindset where achieving victory is the primary objective, regardless of ethical considerations.

FAQs

How can I use "competitive zeal" in a sentence?

You can use "competitive zeal" to describe someone's intense enthusiasm for competition. For example: "Her "competitive zeal" drove her to excel in every challenge".

What's a good synonym for "competitive zeal"?

Alternatives to "competitive zeal" include "competitive spirit", "fierce ambition", or "intense rivalry depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "competitive zeal" in formal writing?

Yes, "competitive zeal" is appropriate for formal writing. It effectively conveys a strong desire to excel and is suitable for business, academic, and journalistic contexts.

What is the difference between "competitive zeal" and "competitive spirit"?

"Competitive zeal" implies a more intense and active enthusiasm for competition, while "competitive spirit" suggests a general positive attitude towards competition.