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

Gabriel and Haaland are key men for their countries, too; whoever shades their personal duel will have a great chance of finishing on the winning team. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026 As with many Latin American and African teams, Paraguay defend deep and are extremely physical in duels and aerial battles. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026

Verb

When fans arrive at Citi Field to see new Mets ace Freddy Peralta duel NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes on Thursday, they’ll be greeted by the same familiar voice that has been greeting them every Opening Day for years. — Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026 In Black Panther, Killmonger’s father T’Chaka was killed by T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) father for smuggling vibranium out of Wakanda, prompting him to duel T’Challa for the throne. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duel

Noun

The rivalry has seemingly extended beyond Brazil vs Argentina to Ronaldo vs Messi, too.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
But even ragged with a slippery ball, the Springboks still blanked Wales in successive matches for the first time since the first two matches in this rivalry, in 1906 and 1912.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

Dancing in a group also offers significant psychological benefits, fostering socialization and combatting isolation and stress.

— Francesca Martinengo, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026
The Salgado Araujo family’s lawyer said that the substance was salt, which outdoor workers mix with lemon and water to combat the Texas heat.

— Albinson Linares, NBC news, 17 July 2026

Definition of combat

Noun

The war’s new weapon What began as a ground war has evolved into a battle increasingly fought from the air.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
The battle harks back to the January 2025 Eaton fire which spread toxic ash over swaths of Altadena and Pasadena.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

On the northern portion, the Assessor’s Office contended that a private lake was complete, and the Moyles had put in infrastructure improvements, such as a residential road, sidewalks and electrical boxes.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2026
But Mayo contended that the more important development this quarter might be happening away from Wall Street.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Definition of contend

Noun

Any restrictions on player registration would not apply to the Premier League, but UEFA does have the power to limit whom Newcastle can name in a ‘List A’ squad for European competitions.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Griffin and Mahony first heard about the Canberra competition just after their wedding.

— Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of competition

Verb

But there’s a difference between narrating crime scenes at a remove and wrestling with the lingering morality of it all.

— Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026
The 23-year-old Vancouver native leans into analog indie rock, using story songs and confessional lyrics to wrestle with relationships, future anxieties and the challenges of growing up in the public eye.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of wrestle

Browse Nearby Words

due

duel

dueled

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Cite this Entry

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“Duel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duel. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of duel

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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