compete

compete (with),vie (with),rival,contest这组词的一般含义是互相竞争。
compete (名词为 competition)的含义仅仅是为了争得名次、奖品，并不含有将对手征服的意思。
The children compete against each other to reach the other end of the pool.
孩子们互相竞争着抵达池子的另一端。
But just before the competition closed, a lorry arrived at the factory with a truly colossal biscuit which weighed 2400 pounds.
但是竞赛赐要结束，一辆卡车来到了工厂，带来一块真正巨大的饼干，它的重量是2400磅。
Vie (with)与 compete 相比，词义弱得多，包含着争夺中的兴奋、激动，因此这种竞争与其说是“争夺”不如说是嘻戏，或者争先恐后。
The two boys vied with each other for the first place.
那两个孩子互相争夺第一名。
The young lads are vying with one other in signing up for miltary service.
小伙子们争先恐地报名参军。
rival (名词亦为rival)在作名词时指“情敌”、“对手”，在用作动词时常常表示“匹敌”
They are school friends rivaling in performing good deeds.
他们是争着做好事的同学。
The two men are business rivals
这两个人是商业界的竞争对手。
contest 所表示的“竞赛”可以是友谊赛，也可以是有敌意的竞赛，旨在比试技能、能力、力气、耐久力等
The two armies are contesting every inch of ground.
两军正争夺每一寸土地。
But the significant thing is not the behaviour of the players but the attitude of the spectators; and, behind the spectators, of the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests.…
但是有意味深长的倒不是运动员的行为，而是观众的态度，以及在观众背后各国家的态度。他们被这些荒唐的竞赛所激怒……。
注：留意动词和名词的发音。