vied

Vied means to compete or contend with someone, usually in an effort to gain something desirable or to demonstrate superiority. It can describe rivalry between people for a position, prize, contract, opportunity, or personal achievement: two candidates vied for the award, while rival firms vied for a major contract. The phrase vied with expresses competition against another person or group, whereas vied for describes competition to obtain something. Although vied is a form of the verb vie, it functions as the past tense and past participle in the usual way, while also serving as the third-person singular present form, as in “one candidate vies.” Its tone is generally formal or literary, giving it a somewhat elevated or competitive character. It is useful when precision matters because it conveys not merely participation in an activity but active rivalry and a struggle for an advantage.

Vied means competed or contended with someone, or tried to obtain something by competing with others. It is the past tense and past participle of vie, and can also be the third-person singular present form.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does vied come from?

Vied is an inflected form of vie. The verb entered Middle English from Old French vier, meaning “to compete” or “contend,” ultimately from Latin vitare, “to vie or compete”; the precise origin of the Latin verb is uncertain.

Related word forms

How vied is actually used

The word is common in formal and journalistic prose. In the present tense it is spelled vies; in the past tense and present participle it is vied and vying, respectively.

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Words and phrases paired with vied

Rhymes with vied