as in competition
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
That is when the United States duels Australia on Friday in a World Cup match hyped by a budding rivalry, next-phase magnitude, and home-field aura.
—
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Dundee United are the fierce city sparring partners of Dundee, a rivalry where the two stadiums, Tannadice Park and Dens Park, are separated by 200 yards on the same street.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 June 2026
The thriller about ambition, rivalry and human frailty, set in the ballet world, evoked visceral reactions — from adrenaline highs to pull-pinions-from-your-flesh shudders.
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 4 June 2026
History of the race The contest drew significant attention across western Placer County, where a former political alliance evolved into a high-profile political rivalry.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Dundee United are the fierce city sparring partners of Dundee, a rivalry where the two stadiums, Tannadice Park and Dens Park, are separated by 200 yards on the same street.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 June 2026
The thriller about ambition, rivalry and human frailty, set in the ballet world, evoked visceral reactions — from adrenaline highs to pull-pinions-from-your-flesh shudders.
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 4 June 2026
History of the race The contest drew significant attention across western Placer County, where a former political alliance evolved into a high-profile political rivalry.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
-
Measles has spread as a result of travel to international sports competitions before.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Their visit coincides with an event marking one year to the start of the Invictus Games, the biennial sporting competition Harry founded more than a decade ago.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
After several years as an orphan, Pumphrey died in a South Caroline pine forest on August 16, 1780, in what was one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Aegon was severely injured by Aemond and Vhagar in that battle.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The game began with an unusual pitcher's duel in this ballpark between rookie starters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
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One game turned grabbing the last slice of cake into a pistol duel of who could press the button at exactly the right time.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The couple also has been open about their struggle with IVF in recent years.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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The family’s legal struggles have loomed large over the last several years, but Steven says two moments in particular stand out as the most difficult.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
In other words, the current combination of US political tensions and global conflicts are driving more US nationals to seek new options overseas.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
-
Notably, the Vikings haven’t been able to create this conflict.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
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And this is all due to how AI is rapidly changing warfare.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
The history of warfare is often measured in winners, losers, troop sizes, dollars and human casualties; but collateral damage across the animal kingdom far outlasts the final shot.—
The Los Angeles Times,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
For now, Meloni has avoided direct confrontation, a strategy seen as both calculation and a bet that Vannacci’s momentum may fade.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 June 2026
-
During the confrontation, a person pulled out a gun and fired several shots, hitting two people, according to police.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2026
Noun
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This year, 1,573 submissions are in contention across the 17 performer categories, down from 1,706 in 2025, a decline of nearly 8%.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
17 June 2026
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Beyond Lebanon, there’s one more point of possible contention on Iran’s nuclear program.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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