uncompetitive

Uncompetitive is an adjective used to describe situations characterized by a lack of competition. It can apply to markets, products, practices, or performance.

Economically, an uncompetitive market has limited contestability: few firms, high barriers to entry, economies of scale, regulatory constraints, or instances of collusion that reduce rivalry. In such markets, prices may be higher and output lower than under robust competition, while innovation and variety may stagnate. Causes include natural monopolies, licensing regimes, exclusive dealing, patent thickets, or regulatory structures that shield incumbents. Authorities in many jurisdictions monitor and address uncompetitive behavior through competition policy, antitrust enforcement, and measures to encourage entry and contestability.

Uncompetitive also appears in non-market contexts. For example, describes a situation where there is little incentive to compete, or where one party has overwhelming advantages such that rivals are discouraged from participating. In sports or business, an uncompetitive game or contract implies a lack of challenge or fairness.

Not to be confused with noncompetitive, which sometimes describes processes without recognized competition or with tasks not requiring competition; uncompetitive emphasizes the absence or suppression of competition in a given context.

See also: competition law, antitrust, market structure, monopoly, oligopoly, regulation.