vie

To compete strongly with others to win something or be the best.

• The children vie for attention.
• Two teams vied for first place.
• Several candidates are vying to become leader.

How to use it: vie for something (Several firms are vying for the contract.); vie with someone for something (She vied with her sister for their father’s attention.); vie to do something (Three cities are vying to host the event.)

Similar words: compete, contend

Common phrases: vie for attention, vie with someone, vie for power

To offer or produce something in competition with what another person offers or produces.

• The rivals vied boasts across the table.
• Each poet would vie a verse against the next.
• They vied offers until the owner accepted one.

How to use it: vie something with someone (The poets vied verses with one another.)

Similar words: pit, bandy

Common phrases: vie boasts, vie verses, vie something with someone

To risk money or something valuable on an uncertain result.

• He chose to vie five coins.
• They vied their gold on the result.
• Would you vie your fortune on such a risk?

How to use it: vie something on something (He would vie his last coin on the outcome.)

Similar words: bet, wager, stake

Common phrases: vie money, vie a sum, vie something on something

To bet a sum of money on the cards you hold in an old card game.

• Each player could vie a small sum.
• She vied three coins on her hand.
• He refused to vie more money after the next deal.

How to use it: vie something on a hand (The player vied two coins on his hand.)

Similar words: bet, stake, wager

Common phrases: vie a sum, vie on something, vie three coins