noncompetitor
One who abstains
A noncompetitor is someone or something that doesn't compete—either by choice, circumstance, or category.
In business contexts, it often appears in legal agreements: a noncompetitor clause restricts former employees from joining rival firms.
More broadly, it describes anyone not in the race: As a noncompetitor, she could judge the contest fairly.
Not participating or invested
- unaffiliatedNot formally connected
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- unconnectedNot joined or linked
- independentFree from external control
nonparticipant · outsider · abstainer · noncombatant · civilian · exempt · sidelined · inactive
Observer at an event
- onlookerPerson who observes
- observerOne who perceives events
- witnessOne who attests
- viewerOne who observes visually
watcher · beholder · passerby · sideline · audience · gallery · crowd · attendee
Showing no preference
- unbiasedFree from prejudice
- objectivePurpose or goal
- nonpartisanNot aligned politically
- disinterestedFree from personal stakes
dispassionate · equidistant · nonaligned · apolitical · uncommitted · evenhanded · fair-minded · third-party
disengaged
Not participating or invested
- unaffiliatedNot formally connected
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- unconnectedNot joined or linked
independent · nonparticipant · outsider · abstainer · noncombatant · civilian · exempt · sidelined · inactive · passive
spectator
Observer at an event
viewer · watcher · beholder · passerby · sideline · audience · gallery · crowd · attendee · patron
impartial
Showing no preference
- unbiasedFree from prejudice
- objectivePurpose or goal
- nonpartisanNot aligned politically
disinterested · dispassionate · equidistant · nonaligned · apolitical · uncommitted · evenhanded · fair-minded · third-party · arbiter
noncompetitorcompetitor
One striving against others
rival · competition · contender · opponent · arch-rival