fend off competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fend off competition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing strategies or actions taken to protect oneself or a business from rivals in a market or industry. Example: "To maintain our market share, we need to find ways to fend off competition from emerging startups."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Until then he must fend off competition.

The Economist

International banks also have to fend off competition from specialist rivals.

The Economist

They have not acted to improve their businesses fast enough to fend off competition.

The Guardian

They are trying to fend off competition from satellite providers and phone companies, which have poached customers.

The Economist

Indeed, say the authors, multinational firms are more able to fend off competition from low-wage countries.

The Economist

The bargain price is part of the archdiocese's effort to fend off competition from crematories and private cemeteries.

The New York Times

And he will have to fend off competition from a burgeoning number of rivals such as King.com, whose "Candy Crush Saga" is winning rave reviews from gamers.

The Economist

They deplore the iron phalanx of contractors and congressmen who fend off competition and innovation as a threat to the featherbedded status quo.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Bradford-based retailer has struggled to fend off competition from discounters Aldi and Lidl, as well as price-cutting by larger rivals Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco.

The Guardian - Business

Amazon has announced plans to offer a much bigger royalty on ebooks, in a move that could also be intended to fend off competition from Apple.

The Guardian - Tech

The transaction will generate about $310 million in cash for Cablevision at a time when the company increasingly needs capital to fend off competition from satellite rivals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company's strategy, use "fend off competition" to illustrate proactive measures taken to maintain market position. For instance, "The company invested heavily in R&D to "fend off competition" from innovative startups".

Common error

Avoid using "fend off competition" when a more aggressive action is required. If the situation demands eliminating a competitor, consider stronger verbs like "defeat" or "oust" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fend off competition" functions as a verb phrase. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, describing the action taken by a company, organization, or individual to defend against rivals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fend off competition" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes actions taken to defend against rivals in a competitive environment. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a very usable expression in a variety of contexts. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, it carries a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. Alternatives include "ward off competition" and "resist competition". To effectively utilize this phrase, writers should ensure the level of action aligns with the intended meaning, opting for stronger verbs when more aggressive action is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ward off competition

Replaces "fend" with "ward", suggesting a defensive action to deflect or avert competition.

hold off competition

Similar to "fend off", but emphasizes delaying or preventing competition from gaining ground.

repel competition

Emphasizes a stronger, more forceful action to drive back or push away competitive pressures.

resist competition

Highlights the act of standing firm against competitive forces, implying a sustained effort to withstand pressure.

defend against competition

Emphasizes protective measures taken to shield against competitive threats, indicating a reactive strategy.

counter competition

Suggests taking active measures to neutralize or offset the effects of competition.

protect against competition

Focuses on safeguarding oneself or a business from the adverse effects of competition, highlighting preventative measures.

withstand competition

Focuses on the ability to endure or survive despite competitive challenges, implying resilience.

combat competition

Implies engaging in a struggle or fight to overcome competitive obstacles.

thwart competition

Suggests preventing or obstructing competition from succeeding, implying a proactive approach.

FAQs

What does "fend off competition" mean?

The phrase "fend off competition" means to defend against rivals and protect one's position in a market or industry.

What can I say instead of "fend off competition"?

You can use alternatives like "ward off competition", "repel competition", or "resist competition" depending on the context.

How can a company "fend off competition"?

Companies can "fend off competition" by innovating, cutting costs, improving customer service, or forming strategic alliances.

Is "fend off competition" formal or informal?

"Fend off competition" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in business reports, news articles, and general discussions.