as in competition
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
This great rivalry has just renewed and feels like seven.
—
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy both joined the navy, aware that fine military records would support their political aspirations; the relationship between the two men, moving from mutual respect to bitter rivalry, is one of the book’s stronger story lines.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Now, a new adventure dawns for the duo when their summer road trip takes an unexpected detour, landing them in the middle of yet another monster rivalry: Daywalkers vs. Vampires.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
The Spirit and Pride’s rivalry is quickly becoming one of the most compelling matchups in the league.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy both joined the navy, aware that fine military records would support their political aspirations; the relationship between the two men, moving from mutual respect to bitter rivalry, is one of the book’s stronger story lines.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Now, a new adventure dawns for the duo when their summer road trip takes an unexpected detour, landing them in the middle of yet another monster rivalry: Daywalkers vs. Vampires.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
The Spirit and Pride’s rivalry is quickly becoming one of the most compelling matchups in the league.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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This year, there's little other competition for NFL-ready quarterbacks.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2025
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Most importantly, this competition is not ideological.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In short, Saturday's clash will bring to a head a battle between two families, two fighters caught in a war started by their fathers, and Eubank won't even have his by his side as they are still estranged.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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The Trump administration is also embroiled in a contentious legal battle regarding deportation involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The show is partially set before the events of Revenge of the Sith, which ends with Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader after being severely injured in a lightsaber duel with Obi-Wan.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2025
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The 36-year-old deGrom, who also remains in that conversation even on the backside of his career, was almost as good in Friday’s pitcher’s duel.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Keith and Mark Newhouse of Newhouse Creative Group understand these struggles firsthand.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Young’s struggles against the Heat continued early in Friday’s contest, scoring 14 points while shooting just 3 of 14 from the field and 1 of 5 on threes through the first three quarters.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There have been no pauses in the conflict since Russia launched its unprovoked full-scale invasion in February 2022.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
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Putin told Gerasimov on Saturday that Russia welcomed efforts from the U.S., China and BRICS countries to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Russia is very adept at what is known as hybrid warfare, a term that broadly refers to tactics designed to undermine or destabilize opponents, but falling short of open conflict.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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So ingrained is the fixation with speed that generations of U.S. military commanders have learned to shudder at the mention of attritional warfare, embracing decisive maneuver as the route to quick victories.—
Lawrence D. Freedman,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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During the confrontation, the two men were shot, and both died on scene, officers said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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After a brutal start to the season on the long February and March road trips against top-level competition, and despite a slew of injuries, the Huskies have put their season back together up north and played their way back into Big East and NCAA Tournament contention.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
23 Apr. 2025
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The winless run came to an end against the San Antonio Spurs last week – the Suns’ penultimate game of the season before a defeat to the Sacremento Kings – but at that point, they had already been eliminated from playoff contention.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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