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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rival
Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025
Charter Communications lost video customers in its third quarter, although fewer than in the year-ago period, as the cable and Internet giant faces stiff competitive headwinds from YouTube and other streaming-era rivals.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
But, prior to the main event, rival supporters will come together to celebrate what connects, rather than divides, them.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
The minty treat might almost rival DQ's famous Red Velvet Cake Blizzard and the fan favorite Oreo Blizzard.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
In Christmas on Duty, Pretty Little Liars alum Janel Parrish and Enlisted star Parker Young play feuding members of the military who have been rivals since their days in Quantico.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2025
Charter Communications lost video customers in its third quarter, although fewer than in the year-ago period, as the cable and Internet giant faces stiff competitive headwinds from YouTube and other streaming-era rivals.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Bloomberg grew up in Massachusetts as a rival Boston Red Sox fan before switching to the Yankees as mayor.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
But, prior to the main event, rival supporters will come together to celebrate what connects, rather than divides, them.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
At an increasing number of high-end properties across Los Angeles and beyond, amenities for pets now rival those for A-listers.
—Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
The minty treat might almost rival DQ's famous Red Velvet Cake Blizzard and the fan favorite Oreo Blizzard.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
The plug-in hybrid now offers an electric-only range of about 80 miles, while overall efficiency improves to the equivalent of 84 miles per gallon once the battery is depleted.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Most pilot programs limit stablecoin holdings to no more than 5% of total cash equivalents.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While many fans seem to favor the tournament already, there are early rumors that Cena's final opponent could be GUNTHER, a newer star within WWE who has already held several championships, including the World Heavyweight Championship twice.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Five different opponents have scored their season-high in points against the Cowboys this season.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Hug beat his closest competitor, Great Britain’s David Weir, by nearly four minutes.—
Bette Canter,
Sportico.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The first iteration of the New York City Marathon had 55 finishers, while the 2024 race had 55,642 competitors cross the finish line.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The potential use of AI in esports — or competitive gaming — has sparked debate, however.—
Lucy Handley,
CNBC,
1 Nov. 2025
-
The companies that figure out how to orchestrate these cybernetic teams—where AI truly functions as a teammate rather than just a tool—will have a significant competitive advantage in the innovation economy.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Smith, who double majored in statistics and computer science, previously competed on the women’s swimming and diving team.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The last American to compete in the pinnacle of motorsport was Logan Sargeant, who raced for Williams for nearly two years before the team replaced him.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Experts say many multinational firms are adopting dual leadership models, where global business unit heads in India co-own strategy and product outcomes with their counterparts at headquarters.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Specifically, supernovae derived from younger stellar populations appear fainter, while their older counterparts appear brighter.—
Ian Randall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s tariff strong-arming has rattled relationships with America’s friends and foes.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Gun down enemies Contra-style, deflect bullets, and enter bullet-time to make quick work of your foes.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
1 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Instead, this team bullied one of the top NFC playoff contenders from start to finish.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Even with expectations for this season always low (even by Browns post-1999 standards), does anyone watching think this team is anywhere close to becoming a contender — even with a pair of potential top-15 picks in the 2026 draft?—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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