DUEL Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

duel 1 of 2

noun

ˈdü-əl

Definition of duel

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another a duel for the title of captain of the team

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

duel

2 of 2

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 duel

Noun

Cherry went 74 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Racing Louisville, recording four defensive clearances and winning three of her four aerial duels as Angel City lost for the first time in four games. — Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 31 July 2026 Commandment had a rough Kentucky Derby, but a stellar Belmont, placing second behind Golden Tempo in a grand stretch duel that left Renegade rocking in their wake. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Verb

Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway through which the region’s insecurity quickly becomes a global economic problem, remained hostage to dueling coercive measures. — Ali Vaez, Time, 15 June 2026 On the morning of dueling public marches (now also featuring gay-rights activists), Roche, who has moved to the area temporarily, succeeds in kidnapping Cantrell. — Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for duel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duel

Noun

Houthis’ allies The Houthis are backed by Iran, which began increasing its aid to the group in 2014 as the civil war escalated and as its rivalry with Saudi Arabia intensified.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Alongside the central Yash roles, the trailer introduces Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi, each positioned within a web of relationships and rivalries that define the ensemble narrative.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

This ongoing challenge raises significant questions about the control of programmable dollars and the effectiveness of stablecoin freezes in combating illicit finance, which increasingly relies on these digital assets.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Today, the compounds remain the main ingredients in hundreds of products on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s list of disinfectants approved to combat SARS-CoV-2.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of combat

Noun

Four months later, my mom began a private battle against death when she was diagnosed with polio.

— Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Following a slew of casualties (including James Norton’s Ormund Hightower) during a massive battle between the Blacks and the Greens at Tumbleton, Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) jumps to her death off screen in King’s Landing.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

But the judge’s order showed a possible path forward for other court fights around the country as Meta faces mounting legal, regulatory and public pressure to do more to protect young people.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Garlic Garlic is rich in plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antihypertensive (fighting high blood pressure) properties.

— Carrie Madormo, HEALTH, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of fight

Verb

The year 1933, Arendt contended, marked the close of the age of bourgeois emancipation and Jewish liberation, which brought an end to a feeling of security in the West and signaled that the new sense of security in the East was a pipe dream.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
As such, the casino company contends hitting the brakes on the hotel and nongaming construction is covered by the host agreement that the city itself may be violating with the potential imminent launch of VGTs.

— Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of contend

Verb

Police wrestled him down, and Fauci, dressed in his white lab coat, bolted downstairs.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
That means a rare Friday session, when the Senate will finish its saga on Russia sanctions after wrestling with the issue for more than a year.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrestle

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due

duel

dueled

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Style

“Duel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duel. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of duel

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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