as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a duel for the title of captain of the team
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of duel
The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels will duel in a matchup between the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders as part of a Monday night doublehader.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
After winning a classic 18-inning duel in Game 3 on Monday night, one that featured key contributions from a series of Dodgers relievers, old bad habits resurfaced Tuesday night in Game 4 as the Blue Jays evened the series with a 6-2 victory.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duel
Noun
Mbeumo would drift wide to duel with Virgil van Dijk or Kerkez after long passes from goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who kicked long 45 times on Sunday.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels will duel in a matchup between the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders as part of a Monday night doublehader.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Woody decides to challenge Colin to a old fashioned duel with pistols.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
After winning a classic 18-inning duel in Game 3 on Monday night, one that featured key contributions from a series of Dodgers relievers, old bad habits resurfaced Tuesday night in Game 4 as the Blue Jays evened the series with a 6-2 victory.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duel
Noun
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Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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Spurs were inept and disjointed on Saturday, losing 1-0 against Chelsea in a rivalry the club don’t tolerate losing easily.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The group’s latest collaboration is with Food Rescue South Florida through lending volunteer support and distribution of fresh food, as well as annual funding to combat food insecurity.—
CHRISTINA MAYO,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
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How Zurzuvae works to help combat postpartum depression Zurzuvae enhances the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that sends signals in the brain to calm nerve activity, Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health, tells SELF.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As soon as a battle or a war has been fought, victors and losers alike begin to tell different stories.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Linked by the fire, a cashier, fire-fighter, district attorney and student battle to prevent tragedy, the blaze’s consequences still roiling two decades later.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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More than other age groups, teens have to fight to stay on a schedule that doesn't match their biology.—
NPR,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
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Since taking office, Manzo, often seen wearing a bulletproof vest, had called on the federal government to do more to fight organized crime while expressing fears for his own safety.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Their current struggles are not a reflection of the quality in the dressing room.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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In the past eight years, she’s gone through some intense personal struggles, including a pill addiction, a suicide attempt, a lung cancer diagnosis and a divorce from her second husband Randy Bick.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a lawsuit filed in the Business Court of Texas, the Mavericks contend they should be recognized as the sole owner of Center Operating Company because of an alleged breach by the Stars.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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That will be followed by Study 02 next year featuring different hardware using stainless steel with 18-karat gold plating sourced from China, where Canadas contended hardware technology surpasses European alternatives.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Still, experts say there are additional challenges to ensure that insurance plans and other health care economics allow for investment into biosimilars and create competition as intended.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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The eight minor passengers on board, ranging in ages from 13 to 16, are members of a judo club (a Japanese martial art) from Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and were traveling back from a global sports camp and competition held in Azerbaijan.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, the saga unearths new layers in the second season as Natalia shares her harrowing experiences with her adoptive parents and has a face-to-face confrontation with Michael.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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No one was injured during the confrontation, police said.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Duel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duel. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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