as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a duel for the title of captain of the team
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of duel
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
The duelling lightsaber was used in climactic battles in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2025
Their duel is brutal and operatic, the culmination of years of tension between Cleonic brothers.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duel
Noun
The iconic red lightsaber was used by Darth Vader to duel in The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi, which were the fifth and sixth instalments in the franchise but the second and third to hit the screens.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
The duelling lightsaber was used in climactic battles in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Pachycephalosaurs are often depicted using their domed heads to engage in headbutting duels.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2025
Their duel is brutal and operatic, the culmination of years of tension between Cleonic brothers.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duel
Noun
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Since the 1960s, a total of 18 Metro Nashville Public Schools have closed, and some very heated football rivalries ended with those closings.—
Mike Organ,
Nashville Tennessean,
29 Sep. 2025
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But there’s no question that these tools are transforming the job experience for many tech workers amid an intense rivalry between leading AI companies to make the best one.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Road ahead To achieve further upside, the company will need to address several factors, including quality and recall issues as well as costs — areas Farley has tried to combat for years.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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This all comes amid multiple feuds between the ADL and several Christian conservatives, including podcasters Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson, and concerns over the rise in antisemitism and whether free speech is being stifled in the name of combating it.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For Democrats, the battle marked a defining moment to demonstrate unity after earlier funding fights in which they were accused of caving to Republican demands.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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That was really the battle, less than the gut.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Similarly to their meeting last year, Georgia trailed early and managed to fight its way back.—
Hunter Simpson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
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But instead of fighting my body and losing, now my body and I fight together against our enemy, anxiety.—
Jack Korngold,
Rolling Stone,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Intel’s struggles amplified last year, as a turnaround effort championed by former CEO Pat Gelsinger struggled.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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In a clip taken by a guest, Anwar — who recently wrote an essay about her struggle with bipolar disorder — listened and didn’t judge.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Add in Michigan, USC and Minnesota, and well over half the league still has a shot at contending for a CFP spot.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Next week sees the release of several titles that have a decent shot of contending for the box office crown against One Battle After Another.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In-competition features showcase emerging filmmakers from around the world, there to debut feature, documentary and short films.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
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Since premiering in 2005, Olympic athletes, TV stars, internet personalities and singers have stepped into the ballroom to participate in the ABC reality dance competition show.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Agents involved in the kneeling said they were caught between orders to avoid confrontation and the reality of facing angry crowds, sources told Reuters.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
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Freddie is a counterpoint to Daniel Plainview, a similarly alchemical creation, but one who’s all id, at one point driving away from Dodd across the salt flats and leaving him for years, and then finding his way back to his side for a confrontation that feels like a dream.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Duel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duel. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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