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 of tug-of-war

• rivalry
• battle
• struggle
• competition
• duel
• warfare
• conflict
• confrontation
• war
• contention

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

Watch for the undercard reveal, a second press conference closer to fight week, and the broadcast tug-of-war subplot — Eddie Hearn's ongoing back-and-forth with Dana White hangs over every Zuffa boxing card, and this is the biggest one yet. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

In the finals of the tug-of-war, Mission Viejo defeated El Dorado. — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 19 July 2026

There’s been a political tug-of-war over Bears Ears and Grand Staircase for years that aligns with changing presidential administrations. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026

And then it is found, resulting in a tug-of-war to retain and use it for very different reasons and purposes. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tug-of-war

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

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