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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Recent Examples of duel
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
In the season prior to their Super Bowl showdown, the Steelers defeated the Packers in a game that featured a high-octane offensive display as two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks dueled at Heinz Field.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Alexis Nedd, IndieWire, 2 July 2025
The quarterback then took it up a notch, challenging fans to a shotgun duel near the 17th tee.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for duel
Noun
Production designer Kasra Farahani’s amusing visual swagger complements the film’s dueling interests: A little fun over here, the usual threats of global extinction over there.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
In the season prior to their Super Bowl showdown, the Steelers defeated the Packers in a game that featured a high-octane offensive display as two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks dueled at Heinz Field.
—Jim Reineking, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Verb
What’s all this about Mrs. Astor’s daughter’s affair and a possible duel?
—Alexis Nedd, IndieWire, 2 July 2025
The quarterback then took it up a notch, challenging fans to a shotgun duel near the 17th tee.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for duel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duel
Noun
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The dwindling embers of the Boise State-University of Idaho rivalry will receive a spark later this year.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Aug. 2025
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This fight is the catalyst for one of the longest-running rivalries in the story.—
Devin Robertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Holt serves on the board of the Family Nurturing Center, a social service organization combating child abuse in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
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Why Tea Bags Work For Shoe Odor Tea bags have been known to be effective in combating mild odors in shoes due to their moisture-absorbing properties and the presence of tannins in tea, which have antibacterial effects.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking a judge to jail Beto O'Rourke, claiming the former Democratic congressman violated a court order by fundraising to support the dozens of state Democratic lawmakers who have fled the state amid its redistricting battle.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
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The Defense Department has awarded BAE Systems’ shipyard in San Diego a $64.1 million contract for repairs, maintenance and upgrades on the USS O’Kane, a Burke-class destroyer that helped protect the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier battle group during a long deployment that ended in February.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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He was arrested in February 2015 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and had been fighting extradition to the United States since then.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Aug. 2025
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Following emancipation, Black families fought to reunite, underscoring the idea of family as foundational to their status as free people, as described by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.—
Grace Tucker,
The Enquirer,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Neal has been inconsistent and has had some health struggles.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
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And the other thing is just this constant reminder of the struggle of entrepreneurs out there.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Contrary to decades of precedent, Republican state officials in at least 15 states contend that private individuals and groups do not have the right to sue to enforce Section 2 because they are not explicitly named in the landmark law's text.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
6 Aug. 2025
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Simone Rose, the U.S. Classic runner-up, should also contend in New Orleans.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For the first time in decades, traditional sports face real competition for the next generation of fans, many of whom are trading physical arenas for virtual ones.—
Jennifer Acree,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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The main competition strand, officially known as The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence, includes 10 world premiere titles.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Continuation of the war would mean more of Europe's time, money, and military aid is needed to support Ukraine, and threatens to lead to a direct NATO-Russia confrontation on the continent, with potentially catastrophic consequences.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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But a confrontation with Doreen near the end that becomes a self-reckoning for Lynette undersells the pathos.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Duel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duel. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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