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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
The Final Set, a documentary about the on-court rivalry and off-court friendship of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
26 June 2026
An on-and-off again rivalry during the primary The two men shared a similar message during the primary, slamming Democrats for mismanaging the state and calling for tax cuts and regulatory rollbacks.
—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
This friendly rivalry will fuel Wilson throughout his rookie season.
—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
Her on-court rivalry with Czech American tennis great Martina Navratilova during that period is legendary, with Navratilova beating Evert in 10 of their 14 Grand Slam finals against one another and 43 of their 80 matches overall.
—
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
26 June 2026
An on-and-off again rivalry during the primary The two men shared a similar message during the primary, slamming Democrats for mismanaging the state and calling for tax cuts and regulatory rollbacks.
—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
This friendly rivalry will fuel Wilson throughout his rookie season.
—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
Her on-court rivalry with Czech American tennis great Martina Navratilova during that period is legendary, with Navratilova beating Evert in 10 of their 14 Grand Slam finals against one another and 43 of their 80 matches overall.
—
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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The biggest score of the World Cup competition may be happening off the pitch.
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For Iraq, a victory would be its first in World Cup competition while Senegal, a quarterfinalist in 2002, would like to get a win for Sadio Mane, one of Africa’s most iconic players, who may be playing in his final World Cup.
Noun
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Riff argued the issue to halt the payout was not a legal battle but rather a political one.
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While the first half of the match was full of battles and speed runs from one goal to another, the players seem to be taking a more methodical pace after returning from the locker room.
Noun
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The drama had returned, Scheffler and Hovland resumed their duel, with Morikawa watching hopefully, but helplessly.
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But when Aemond arrives unexpectedly, the castellan wonders if a duel can’t be avoided.
Noun
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Thomas, 25, has seen limited playing time this season due to some offensive struggles.
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Carvalho’s struggles included a three-day strike in March 2023.
Noun
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His father, Manuel Cepeda, was a prominent figure in the Colombian Communist Party, and was assassinated in 1994 during a particularly bloody era in Colombia's internal conflict.
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The town’s predicament highlights the limits of any ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and the lingering hardship faced by residents whose lives have been upended by years of conflict.
Noun
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Police say the violence on Sydney’s streets is being orchestrated from abroad – and teenagers are being lured into the complex web of gang warfare with the promise of fast cash.
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As long-range precision weapons become central to modern warfare, reducing mission planning from hours to minutes could prove just as valuable as extending missile range or improving accuracy.
Noun
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Yet despite his later involvement in politics, McCloskey remains most closely associated with the confrontation that unfolded outside his home in June 2020.
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Upon that person’s arrival, there was a confrontation that devolved into gunshots.
Noun
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Now, the 49‑year‑old turns his attention to an NBA roster headlined by Flagg and a Mavericks team eager to return to championship contention.
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The other top prospects in the draft, including Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cam Boozer, were in contention for the top pick.
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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