try-hards
Annoyingly intense competitors
Try-hards are people who put excessive effort into something, especially when that effort seems desperate or uncool.
The term is mildly derogatory, suggesting someone cares too much about winning, impressing others, or succeeding at something that doesn't warrant such intensity: The lobby was full of try-hards running meta builds.
In gaming and competitive contexts, it often describes players who treat casual matches like tournaments.
The singular try-hard works as both noun and adjective: Don't be such a try-hard, try-hard energy.
Those who exceed expectations
- show-offsPeople who flaunt abilities
- posersPuzzles or pretenders
- attention-seekersThose craving notice
- wannabesAspirants lacking credentials
flexing · cringe · performative · validation · insecure · approval · pretentious · desperate
Casual athletic garments
- tryhardingExcessive competitive intensity
- competitiveDriven by rivalry
- rankedAssigned relative position
- metaSelf-aware or transcendent
esports · grinders · noobs · casuals · lobbies · loadouts · camping · clutch
Those exceeding anticipated outcomes
- bootlickersServile seekers of favor
- corporateOf or relating to companies
- hustle cultureCelebrating relentless career ambition
- grindsetMindset glorifying nonstop work
keeners · kiss-ups · teacher's pet · brownnosers · eager beaver · go-getters · ambitious · networking
Obsessive workout regulars
- CrossFitBranded high-intensity training system
- gainsIncreases in value
- proteinFolded amino chain
- bulkingGaining size intentionally
competitors · weekend warriors · marathoners · overtraining · rec league · pickup games · intensity · conditioning
overachievers
Those who exceed expectations
- show-offsPeople who flaunt abilities
- posersPuzzles or pretenders
- attention-seekersThose craving notice
wannabes · flexing · cringe · performative · validation · insecure · approval · pretentious · desperate · inauthentic
sweats
Casual athletic garments
- tryhardingExcessive competitive intensity
- competitiveDriven by rivalry
- rankedAssigned relative position
meta · esports · grinders · noobs · casuals · lobbies · loadouts · camping · clutch · MLG
overperformers
Those exceeding anticipated outcomes
- bootlickersServile seekers of favor
- corporateOf or relating to companies
- hustle cultureCelebrating relentless career ambition
grindset · keeners · kiss-ups · teacher's pet · brownnosers · eager beaver · go-getters · ambitious · networking · overtime
gym rats
Obsessive workout regulars
bulking · competitors · weekend warriors · marathoners · overtraining · rec league · pickup games · intensity · conditioning · personal records
try-hardsslackers
Those who avoid effort
coasters · loafers · underachievers · layabouts · deadbeats
try-hardsslackers
Those who avoid effort
casuals · zen masters · nihilists · dropouts
try, hard, tries, tried, trying, harder, hardest, harden, hardened