DUEL Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

duel 1 of 2

noun

ˈdü-əl

Definition of duel

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another a duel for the title of captain of the team

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

duel

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of duel

Noun

Cherry went 74 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Racing Louisville, recording four defensive clearances and winning three of her four aerial duels as Angel City lost for the first time in four games. — Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 31 July 2026 Commandment had a rough Kentucky Derby, but a stellar Belmont, placing second behind Golden Tempo in a grand stretch duel that left Renegade rocking in their wake. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Verb

Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway through which the region’s insecurity quickly becomes a global economic problem, remained hostage to dueling coercive measures. — Ali Vaez, Time, 15 June 2026 On the morning of dueling public marches (now also featuring gay-rights activists), Roche, who has moved to the area temporarily, succeeds in kidnapping Cantrell. — Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for duel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duel

Noun

The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry, which originated in 1892, has waned a bit in recent years as the Milwaukee Brewers have taken control of the National League Central.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
As China’s strategic rivalry with the US and its allies deepens, Beijing has broadened its anti-espionage campaign, casting suspicious eyes on foreign ties amid concerns about the leak of state secrets.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

Many contain Bifidobacterium longum, known for effectively combating gastrointestinal symptoms.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Officials have recently begun to mull raising rates to combat inflation, but that calculus could change if economic figures show the labor market might be the greater problem.

— Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of combat

Noun

Four months later, my mom began a private battle against death when she was diagnosed with polio.

— Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Following a slew of casualties (including James Norton’s Ormund Hightower) during a massive battle between the Blacks and the Greens at Tumbleton, Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) jumps to her death off screen in King’s Landing.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

The 63-year-old was born in the central city of Esfahan and volunteered to fight in the Iraq-Iran war as a teenager, along with tens of thousands of young Iranians.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Pathogens are microorganisms known to cause numerous diseases in their host, meaning Bifidobacterium animalis may help fight certain diseases.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Verb

The year 1933, Arendt contended, marked the close of the age of bourgeois emancipation and Jewish liberation, which brought an end to a feeling of security in the West and signaled that the new sense of security in the East was a pipe dream.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
As such, the casino company contends hitting the brakes on the hotel and nongaming construction is covered by the host agreement that the city itself may be violating with the potential imminent launch of VGTs.

— Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of contend

Noun

Contrast that with eventual EFL champions Coventry City (48 in 49 in all competitions) and Championship runners-up Ipswich Town (50 in 49).

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Soaring temperatures are forcing drastic measures in Europe, where successive heatwaves are straining an economy already under pressure from US tariffs, Chinese competition and higher energy prices because of the Iran war.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of competition

Verb

Likewise, and in spite of their extraordinary abilities, each of these men is also wrestling with their individual limitations in the face of such institutional depravity.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
Brave Irene wrestles the dress and rides the box downhill like a sled in order to reach the duchess, who is anxiously waiting for her gown.

— Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrestle

Browse Nearby Words

due

duel

dueled

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“Duel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duel. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of duel

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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