as in competition
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
The story supposedly centers on Jones and St. Brown’s rivalry from their high school days growing up in California, and Jones’ desire to work on some fundamental changes the Dolphins are hoping the 27-year-old can make to his game.
—
Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
Romances and rivalries are the bread and butter of the best soap operas, which made Robert Scorpio and Luke Spencer's unbreakable friendship all the more special.
—Ryan Coleman Published, EW.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Being from Buffalo, is there any contempt for the city because of the Chiefs and Bills rivalry?
—Joseph Hernandez
august 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2025
And why, after four decades of deepening engagement, do the two countries find themselves in a period of disengagement and rivalry?
—Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
Romances and rivalries are the bread and butter of the best soap operas, which made Robert Scorpio and Luke Spencer's unbreakable friendship all the more special.
—Ryan Coleman Published, EW.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Being from Buffalo, is there any contempt for the city because of the Chiefs and Bills rivalry?
—Joseph Hernandez
august 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2025
And why, after four decades of deepening engagement, do the two countries find themselves in a period of disengagement and rivalry?
—Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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Rival models such as Ford's F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet's Silverado EV generally offer lower entry prices on certain trims, fueling competition as Cybertruck prices climb.—
Akash Sriram,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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Its efforts have been part of a broader talent war across the sector that has seen Big Tech splurge for cutting-edge researchers, but which experts say could ultimately harm broader industry competition and undermine Silicon Valley’s vaunted startup culture.—
Semafor Staff,
semafor.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Their legal battle was resolved earlier this summer, with the ACC agreeing to a new split of multimedia revenue based partly on football and men’s basketball viewership.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
24 Aug. 2025
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With no more elections in his future, President Donald Trump has begun to look past the Xs and Os of his daily battles to the grade on his final report card.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Every tackle, turnover, pressure, victorious duel, dribble and away error was roared on in an evening which could only reassure the Leeds faithful.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
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During the panel, Christensen looked back on the duo's most iconic face-off, the duel on Mustafar from Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Some magazines, which readers often view as more premium experiences, are also partially enjoying a renaissance after years of struggle.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
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Instead, researchers warn, the real crisis has shifted downward to teenagers and young adults, a demographic whose mental health struggles could have lasting consequences for society.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Ukrainian officials rejected this position, stating that Ukraine did not initiate the conflict and that only the Russian president has the authority to order a full military withdrawal.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict took place at the White House.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In service of that goal, the government has abandoned due process in favor of media warfare, preemptive declarations of guilt and freezes on billions in critical federal funding.—
Peter Elkind,
ProPublica,
27 Aug. 2025
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His arrest, and the circumstances around it, have thrust the organization into a period of bloody warfare between rival factions.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Medvedev has been removed from a possible fourth-round confrontation, so the path is lighting up for a player who has won 41 of his last 43 matches.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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In addition to gang recruitment, children are being forced into combat roles, directly participating in armed confrontations.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The district was cut in half when TFA was banned from playoff contention due to rules violations and Holy Trinity of Melbourne opted to pull out of the FHSAA playoff system and join the Sunshine State Athletic Association.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Aug. 2025
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Morgan Wallen will not be submitting his music for consideration at the 2026 Grammy Awards, Wallen’s team confirms to The Hollywood Reporter, removing one of the biggest act in the business from contention.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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