tug-of-war

noun

ˌtəg-ə(v)-ˈwȯr 

plural tugs-of-war

1

: a struggle for supremacy or control usually involving two antagonists

2

: a contest in which two teams pull against each other at opposite ends of a rope with the object of pulling the middle of the rope over a mark on the ground

Synonyms

• ball game
• battle
• combat
• competition
• conflict
• confrontation
• contention
• contest
• dogfight
• duel
• face-off
• grapple
• match
• rivalry
• strife
• struggle
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• war
• warfare

Examples of tug-of-war in a Sentence

the effort to get their teenage son to keep his room clean is a constant tug-of-war

Recent Examples on the Web

For the first time since Nielsen began keeping track of the tug-of-war between traditional TV usage and streaming consumption, the once-dominant medium has ceded its advantage over the digital disruptors. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 June 2025

Already the volatility has lit a fire under the U.S. dollar, which has been caught in a tug-of-war between better-than-expected inflation expectations and a flee to safety amid rising geopolitical tensions. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 June 2025

The tug-of-war between your ambitions and personal life is palpable, Aries. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 14 June 2025

Over the past several months, the administration was in a tug-of-war between those seeking to prevent an Israeli strike and the Iran hawks that played out via leaks and public debates. —The Editors, National Review, 13 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tug-of-war

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore

Kids Definition

tug-of-war

noun

ˌtəg-ə(v)-ˈwȯ(ə)r

plural tugs-of-war

1

: a struggle to win

2

: a contest in which two teams pull against each other at opposite ends of a rope