steep competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steep competition" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that the competition or level of competition is intense or difficult to overcome. Example: "The company faced steep competition in the market, with several well-established brands already dominating the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Art Stage Singapore will face steep competition.

The New York Times - Arts

BATS, an electronic exchange based in Kansas, has steep competition.

The New York Times

If students are applying only to highly selective schools, they will encounter steep competition.

The New York Times

The neighborhood middle schools and Eastern face steep competition from charter and application schools.

The Washington Post

Bank of America also plans to sell its prime brokerage unit, which faced steep competition and huge investment requirements.

The New York Times

But even without pressures and stipulations from the state, foreign companies in China face steep competition from home-grown rivals.

The New Yorker

Here in Bolivia, government officials are trying to increase domestic quinoa consumption, even as the product faces steep competition from other foods.

The New York Times

Although marine scientists hope that operations like Smith's could build up U.S. aquaculture potential, American growers face steep competition, primarily from Canada.

Yale University

The threats and punishments attest to the cutthroat nature of bookselling in the current market, where books face steep competition from other entertainment sources.

Harvard University

The rating agency said it would have reduced Hewlett's ratings even without the planned Compaq deal because of steep competition and mounting losses in its computer hardware businesses.

The New York Times

The decades-old drug faced steep competition from generic drug makers, which now have more than 80percentt of the market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "steep competition", clearly identify the specific industry, market, or area where the competition is occurring to provide context and relevance.

Common error

Avoid overstating the intensity of the competition if it's only moderate. Use "considerable competition" or "moderate competition" instead of "steep competition" if the situation doesn't warrant the stronger term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steep competition" functions as a noun phrase, where "steep" modifies the noun "competition". Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is a standard way to describe a challenging competitive environment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "steep competition" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe a high level of rivalry, according to Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase, commonly appearing in news, academic, and business contexts. While exhibiting a neutral register and frequently used, it's essential to accurately represent the level of competition and avoid overstatement. Consider alternatives like "intense competition" or "fierce rivalry" for nuanced expression. When writing, ensure you specify the context in which the "steep competition" occurs for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense competition

Focuses on the level of intensity in the competition.

fierce competition

Implies a more aggressive and forceful competitive environment.

intense rivalry

Uses a synonym to emphasize the level of intensity.

fierce rivalry

Emphasizes the aggressive nature of the competition.

cutthroat competition

Highlights the ruthless and potentially damaging aspects of the competition.

stiff competition

Indicates a high degree of difficulty in overcoming rivals.

strong competition

Underscores the robustness and strength of the competitive forces.

tough competition

Emphasizes the challenge presented by the competitors.

keen competition

Suggests a sharp and eager level of competition.

vigorous competition

Highlights the energetic and active nature of the competition.

FAQs

What does "steep competition" mean?

"Steep competition" signifies a high level of rivalry or difficulty in a particular market, industry, or field. It implies that success is challenging due to the presence of many strong competitors.

How can I use "steep competition" in a sentence?

You might say, "The new startup faces "steep competition" from established tech giants" or "Gaining market share in this sector is difficult due to "steep competition"".

What are some alternatives to "steep competition"?

Alternatives include "intense competition", "fierce rivalry", or "tough competition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "steep competition"?

"Steep competition" is suitable in contexts where rivalry is substantial and poses a significant challenge, such as business, academia, or sports. Avoid using it when the competition is mild or insignificant.