1
as in equivalent
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value
a design that is a rival to any produced by a professional graphic artist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in opponent
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict
the boxer's toughest rival thus far
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in competitor
one who strives for the same thing as another
the four cities that are the top rivals for the site of the next Olympic Games
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in competitive
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rival
Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026
Soon, even calling them rivals felt aspirational.
—Zohran Mamdani, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
But even with the UFC’s challenges, no rival promotion has come close to usurping the sport’s power dynamic.
—Mark Puleo, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2026
Yet while the ambitious scope of a title like First Light might rival the investment of a blockbuster movie, the experience itself offers much more than a single session.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
Season one teases the turmoil ahead, after Dean finds out that Allie has slept with his very own (heated) rival, Hunter (Charlie Evans).
—Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026
Soon, even calling them rivals felt aspirational.
—Zohran Mamdani, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Adjective
Also featured are Cam Ward of the Titans, Jayden Daniels of the Commanders and Joe Flacco, who played for both the Browns and rival Bengals in 2025.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
But even with the UFC’s challenges, no rival promotion has come close to usurping the sport’s power dynamic.
—Mark Puleo, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Verb
The adjoining bathroom rivals the square footage of most New York City apartments, featuring a walk-in closet, massive shower, bathtub, and separate toilet room.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2026
Yet while the ambitious scope of a title like First Light might rival the investment of a blockbuster movie, the experience itself offers much more than a single session.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
Oliver credits much of the Apex's elevated off-grid-ness to its lithium-ion battery bank, noting that the 100-Ah 48V unit stores the equivalent of a 400-Ah battery in 12V size.—
C.C. Weiss
May 30,
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
-
With simple syrup the clash of the liqueurs is too sharp, the flavor equivalent of swords clanging together.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
By Miller’s count, Fiebig had become one of the most prolific shot-stoppers in the state — in part because, well, U-46’s opponents rarely lacked for scoring chances.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Iliman Ndiaye, who is averaging more successful dribbles per 90 minutes than any other Everton player this season, will be a threat down the left wing and could expose the space behind the Spurs full-backs in the way many opponents have this season.—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Audiences had binged Tiger King in 2020, following the lead-up to Joe Exotic’s conviction for hiring someone to kill Carole Baskin, his competitor in the big cat world.—
Andrea Marks,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
-
There’s the competitor, who often screams at the top of her lungs to celebrate the team’s achievements, and holds herself to a high standard.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Strategic shakeup Usually buying and selling is a cop out, but with where the Red Sox are in their competitive cycle the approach might make some sense.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, chips must still be replaced every few years simply to remain cost-competitive, compounding demand pressure from both ends.—
Rakesh Kumar,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
On Sunday, May 24, Kyle's wife, Samantha Busch, and their children — son Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, 4 — made an emotional appearance at the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, in which Kyle was supposed to compete before his death at age 41 on May 21.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
-
James Tarkowski and Michael Keane have signed new deals this season and will compete with Branthwaite and O’Brien for minutes.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Raring to go, all the top military brass, including the agitated Eisenhower and his supercilious British counterpart General Bernard Montgomery (Damian Lewis), act as though the rational, needfully single-minded man of science has personally betrayed the mission.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 May 2026
-
Its counterpart is crystallized intelligence, which reflects the knowledge and skills that an individual accumulates throughout their lifetime.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
On Thursday, the tournament celebrated him, bringing out many of the top players and some of his old friends and foes to hit and giggle and say goodbye.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
-
Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop roleplaying game where players create fantasy characters and roll dice to determine whether their actions, like a sword attack or a persuasive argument, are successful against their foes.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Dreyer has six goals, nine assists and an MLS-leading 44 key passes, proof that the top end of San Diego’s front line still plays at a Supporters’ Shield-contender level.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Every team has injuries, but the Packers’ laundry list crippled a team that, when largely healthy, was a legitimate Super Bowl contender.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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