jockeying
Competing for position
Jockeying is maneuvering for position or advantage, like horse-race jockeys working to get ahead.
The word suggests competitive positioning through subtle or strategic moves rather than direct confrontation: Several candidates are jockeying for the nomination, Cars were jockeying for position in the merge lane.
The continuous form emphasizes ongoing struggle rather than a single decisive action.
Ongoing contest between opponents
- contestOrganized competitive event
- vyingCompeting eagerly for something
- challengeTest of ability
- opponentsThose who compete against
battle · confrontation · clash · matchup · contenders · frontrunner · underdog · pecking order
Competing eagerly for something
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- anglingRecreational hook-and-line pursuit
- repositioningMoving to new spot
- shiftingChanging position or form
navigating · pivoting · outmaneuvering · sidestepping · veering · weaving · finagling · leveraging
Strategic leverage attempt
- influencePower to affect others
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
backroom · coalition · faction · rivalry · one-upmanship · machination · horse-trading · posturing
Of pure ancestral line
- derbyOpen-entry competition
- steeplechaseObstacle course race
- turfGrass-covered earth surface
- furlongEquestrian distance measure
starting gate · photo finish · handicap · silks · winning post · odds · betting · reins
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
opponents · battle · confrontation · clash · matchup · contenders · frontrunner · underdog · pecking order · dominance
vying
Competing eagerly for something
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- anglingRecreational hook-and-line pursuit
- repositioningMoving to new spot
shifting · navigating · pivoting · outmaneuvering · sidestepping · veering · weaving · finagling · leveraging · elbowing
power play
Strategic leverage attempt
manipulation · backroom · coalition · faction · rivalry · one-upmanship · machination · horse-trading · posturing · grandstanding
thoroughbred
Of pure ancestral line
- derbyOpen-entry competition
- steeplechaseObstacle course race
- turfGrass-covered earth surface
furlong · starting gate · photo finish · handicap · silks · winning post · odds · betting · reins · saddle
- market rivalryrivalry, rivals, competitors, competition, price war
- office politicsoffice politics, backstabbing, power plays, favoritism, nepotism
- queuesqueue, waiting line, lineup, waiting list, wait list
- defensive skillsblocking, dodging, parrying, shielding, evasion
- shovingpushing, shoving, jostling, elbowing, shouldering
- maneuveringmaneuvering, positioning, steering, repositioning, pivoting
jockeyingyielding
Bending under pressure
conceding · surrendering · capitulating · deferring · giving way
jockeyingstaying put
Remaining in place
standing still · settling · standing pat · anchoring · resting
jockeyingcooperating
Working jointly toward goals
collaborating · working together · coordinating · sharing · supporting
- jockeying for positionCompeting for advantageous placement