vicious competition

USAGE SUMMARY

"vicious competition" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which two or more people or groups are striving to outdo each other in a very aggressive and hostile manner. For example, "The competition between the two companies became increasingly vicious as they both sought to take over the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

People struggled with hunger and a vicious competition for survival.

The Economist

Many left their rural hometowns for the more prosperous cities only to face vicious competition for scarce white-collar jobs.

The New Yorker

The fight over the bill illustrates the often vicious competition between caste, religion, ethnicity and gender over who will benefit most from laws designed to reduce inequality.

The New York Times

In both cases, the wars were as much about vicious competition between sectarian groups as they were about the decisions of military and political leaders.

The Washington Post

"Financial distress on the part of many households, ongoing labor market weakness and vicious competition from an enormous overhang of existing homes all point to a very tough slog for home builders in the months and quarters ahead," Joshua Shapiro, the chief United States economist for MFR Inc., said.

The New York Times

"Financial distress on the part of many households, ongoing labor market weakness and vicious competition from an enormous overhang of existing homes all point to a very tough slog for home builders in the months and quarters ahead," said Joshua Shapiro, the chief United States economist for MFR Inc.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

What we see at the moment is a period of intense and sometimes quite vicious geopolitical competition, which is in some ways reminiscent of the cold war.

The Guardian - Books

For more than a half-century, the Kim clan has kept the military in line through vicious purges, competition that fosters loyalty to the leader, selective rewards and a multilayered security apparatus.

The New York Times

Early entrants, seduced by quick successes among affluent consumers in one or two cities, decided to tackle the mass market, only to encounter lower prices, fragmented customer bases, haphazard distribution and vicious domestic competition.

The Economist

Thirty-five years later, the United States remains central to Iran's domestic power struggle, but now it is massive pro-American sentiment that defines the country's vicious internal competition.

The Washington Post

Hundreds of thousands of small firms sprouted (there are now 450,000 trucking firms in America, compared with 10,000 two decades ago), creating vicious price competition that forced drivers to spend sleepless weeks at a time on the road merely to make a living.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vicious competition" to describe scenarios where the intensity of rivalry leads to unethical or harmful behaviors. It is suitable when the competitive environment is particularly aggressive.

Common error

Avoid using "vicious competition" in contexts where the rivalry is merely strong or intense but lacks elements of aggression or unethical behavior. Opt for milder terms like "intense competition" or "fierce rivalry" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vicious competition" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a particular type of competitive environment characterized by extreme intensity and often unethical or harmful tactics. This aligns with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vicious competition" effectively describes an environment where rivalry is exceptionally intense and often characterized by unethical or harmful tactics. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, particularly in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific discussions. While alternatives such as "cutthroat competition" and "intense rivalry" exist, "vicious competition" is most appropriate when emphasizing the negative aspects of unrestrained rivalry. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in contexts where the competition lacks aggressive or unethical elements. It is a common phrase, meaning that is frequently present in contemporary media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cutthroat competition

Emphasizes the ruthlessness and aggression involved in the competition.

intense rivalry

Highlights the adversarial relationship and strong desire to outperform each other.

fierce competition

Focuses on the high level of energy and determination in the competitive environment.

brutal competition

Stresses the harsh and unforgiving nature of the competition.

dog-eat-dog world

Implies a ruthless environment where only the strongest survive.

hyper-competition

Highlights the extremely rapid and intense competitive dynamics.

predatory competition

Suggests that some competitors are exploiting others to gain an advantage.

relentless competition

Emphasizes the continuous and unending nature of the competitive pressure.

aggressive rivalry

Focuses on the forceful and assertive tactics used in the competition.

ruthless struggle

Highlights the lack of compassion or consideration in the pursuit of success.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "vicious competition" in a sentence?

Use "vicious competition" to describe situations where the rivalry is exceptionally intense and may involve unethical or harmful tactics. For example, "The tech industry is characterized by "vicious competition" for market share".

What are some alternatives to "vicious competition"?

You can use alternatives such as "cutthroat competition", "intense rivalry", or "fierce competition" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is the term "vicious competition" most appropriate?

The term "vicious competition" is most appropriate in contexts where the rivalry is not only intense but also involves unethical or harmful behaviors. It is often used in discussions of business, politics, and sports to describe particularly aggressive competitive environments.

What distinguishes "vicious competition" from "intense competition"?

"Intense competition" simply refers to a high degree of rivalry. "Vicious competition", on the other hand, implies that the rivalry is characterized by unethical or harmful tactics. While both terms describe strong competition, "vicious competition" carries a stronger negative connotation.