as in rivalries
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 duels
Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
In Dumas’ work, fights and duels and brave assaults on prisons are done grandly, out in the open.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Physical, mobile defender who excels in 1v1 duels and recovery defending.
—Abraham Nudelstejer, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Canada has won four of the six Olympics championship duels with its southern neighbors, with the 2006 victory giving the country five overall Olympic women’s hockey golds.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
But landing big jumps in competition, when adrenaline duels with cortisol, is more difficult.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Cassidy, winner of five of the last eight races going back to last season, lost in the duels quarterfinals to De Vries.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin both have the ability to win aerial duels and run off their partner’s flick-ons.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
In Dumas’ work, fights and duels and brave assaults on prisons are done grandly, out in the open.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Physical, mobile defender who excels in 1v1 duels and recovery defending.
—Abraham Nudelstejer, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Canada has won four of the six Olympics championship duels with its southern neighbors, with the 2006 victory giving the country five overall Olympic women’s hockey golds.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
But landing big jumps in competition, when adrenaline duels with cortisol, is more difficult.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Cassidy, winner of five of the last eight races going back to last season, lost in the duels quarterfinals to De Vries.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duels
Noun
-
The level of vitriol between the two fan bases, particularly online, is absolutely on par with some of the league’s best rivalries.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The 49ers Museum offers a window into the traditions, rivalries, and fan culture that define American football.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As fans debate whether to renew now, there is again a question mark hanging over the club, as Pereira battles to lead Forest clear of the threat of relegation.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Armed with beauty, daring, hustle, sheer force of will and unwavering ambition, Undine battles an entrenched elite, fearlessly courting controversy, until love and fortune align.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That strike lasted more than a year and included violent confrontations between police and protesters, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
-
That strike lasted more than a year and included violent confrontations between police and protesters, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
He is forced out of his kingdom, sparking conflict, and eventually fights his way back.—
Ryan Brennan
March 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
-
These are intriguing threads Disco almost fights.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There will also be live music and entertainment, competitions and a peach pedal bike ride.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The only question is whether their uptick in performances is too little, too late — but Nuno’s side have only lost two of their last 12 matches in all competitions.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mix cinnamon with warm water to create a spray that combats fungal issues and discourages pests from returning.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream The Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream is a fragrance-free, multitasking formula that combats wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Images of marchers protesting the Nigerian civil war and of leaders of anti-colonial struggles blend with early documentation of European women’s-liberation movements.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
-
After admittedly chasing stats, which led to some early-season struggles, Simmons settled into the defensive end possession and blossomed into one of the SEC’s most prolific sack masters.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Kim Caldwell’s crew has lost its last seven contests, but no one will wholly discount Tennessee in March.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Half of those contests are in the Eastern timezone, as well.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duels. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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