RIVALRY Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

rivalry

noun

ˈrī-vəl-rē

Definition of rivalry

as in competition

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rivalry Dynastic rivalries, regional rebellions, economic disruption, and the demographic effects of the Black Death all undermined imperial authority. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026 Season 1 told the story of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who are bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understood. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026 Professional sports have always thrived on heroes, villains, rivalries and grievances. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 Rookie rivalries While Wilson is looking forward to his first game in his hometown, most of the league will be tracking how the rookie matches up against the other top talent in the 2026 draft class. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rivalry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry

Noun

But as more money and bigger names entered, competition grew fiercer, pushing a drive to export the dramas overseas for more revenue — and use whatever means available to cut costs.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
While ChatGPT’s release in late 2022, helped spark a flurry of competition and advances for large language models, the same idea isn’t easily applied to robots because of their complexity.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Alex Wagner, who served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs during the Biden administration, argued recruiting has remained remarkably insulated from those political battles.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
The fight preceded the Zeus main event, which was a battle between stars from the network’s Baddies series, Tehneski and Big Lex.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

The Throne Room Duel & A-Wing comes with two battle podiums, where the Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader minifigures can be placed to have an epic lightsaber duel.

— Chris McMullen, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026
And this game will be the first Border War duel in Lawrence since 2005, a Friday night game on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

— PJ Green August 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

Throughout the years, Panettiere spoke openly about her struggles with addiction.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Panettiere has long been candid about her struggles navigating child stardom and fame, often opening up about her experiences with severe postpartum depression (PPD), addiction, and anxiety.

— Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

Oman, a historic US ally, has attempted to act as a mediator between the US and Iran both before and during the conflict, notably hosting nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington before the war broke out in February.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
That definition appears designed to keep participating firms focused on criminal enterprises and out of interstate conflicts.

— Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Stray Ukrainian drones, meanwhile, have been reported to have crashed or been intercepted in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Bulgaria, with allied officials suggesting that Russian electronic warfare sent the craft off course.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Some have called for the Ukrainian Parliament or an international body such as the United Nations to develop guidelines for the use of AI targeting in warfare.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of warfare

Noun

Authorities have not identified the suspect and are continuing to investigate what led to the confrontation.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
The Mughal right wing avoided direct confrontation with the elephants and instead attacked Hemu’s troops on the sides.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of confrontation

Noun

The pressure is on to finish not just with a winning record and a bowl berth, but enough to convince the brass that a return to ACC and national title contention in the near future is possible.

— Andre C. Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
The stakes cooled considerably the past two seasons with Michigan out of Playoff contention and Ohio State safely in the 12-team field both years (even after suffering a second loss in that inexplicable 2024 game).

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of contention

Browse Nearby Words

rivalrous

rivalry

rivals

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rivalry

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on rivalry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

august

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes