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
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 June 2026
Polymarket’s chief rival Kalshi also minted billion-dollar fortunes for its founders shortly after when the company raised $1 billion at an $11 billion valuation in December.
—
Alicia Park,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
28 June 2026
In the aftermath of the crash, Pakhtakor were protected from relegation from the Soviet top division for three years and authorities persuaded rival clubs to donate players to help their recovery.
—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Silverado Trail, California Here's a road trip where the food rivals the scenery.
—
Sarah Rose,
Travel + Leisure,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
It was not designed to out-turn its rivals or evade radar.
—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
26 June 2026
Polymarket’s chief rival Kalshi also minted billion-dollar fortunes for its founders shortly after when the company raised $1 billion at an $11 billion valuation in December.
—
Alicia Park,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Adjective
And fighting between rival gangs was common.
—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
28 June 2026
In the aftermath of the crash, Pakhtakor were protected from relegation from the Soviet top division for three years and authorities persuaded rival clubs to donate players to help their recovery.
—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
Verb
It's rivaled by models like the Ram 1500 and the Chevy Silverado 1500.
—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Silverado Trail, California Here's a road trip where the food rivals the scenery.
—
Sarah Rose,
Travel + Leisure,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
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More than two decades since the Concorde supersonic airliner last took to the skies, NASA has been flying an experimental aircraft designed to replace loud sonic booms with a quieter thump equivalent to a car door slamming shut 20 feet away.
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In 2014 she was made a dame, the female equivalent of a knight, for services to the arts and to charity.
Noun
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The program posed a massive political problem for Mamdani, who’s been criticized by both his allies and opponents for his stance.
-
Other opponents generally feel compelled to drop an extra player into the back line, forming a back five against Japan’s front five — as the Netherlands did, with Frenkie de Jong dropping in from midfield.
Noun
-
Turning to larger athletic shoe players, prospects are mixed as smaller competitors inch ahead.
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While art remains the primary business for Sotheby’s and its competitors, sports memorabilia and other collectibles have quickly become important categories as the major houses work to broaden their collector bases.
Adjective
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Conservative activists cost Republicans some competitive Senate seats — the GOP didn’t win control of the upper chamber until nearly halfway through Barack Obama’s second term — but helped win the House and stayed embedded in their deep-red districts.
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This is demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports.
Verb
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Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general, and Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to conservative British politicians, are competing to replace Newsom.
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According to Reuters, Gakpo was given time off to spend with his family, who are staying near the team base in Kansas City as the Netherlands competes in the World Cup.
Noun
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Until the middle of the 20th century, factices were often crafted by luxury glassmakers including Baccarat and Lalique to be exact replicas of their regular-sized counterparts, filled with colored water or alcohol to mimic the look of actual perfume.
-
Tough loner Daryl, who has no counterpart in the Walking Dead comic books, arguably became the original’s show biggest breakout character before getting his own story.
Noun
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With Aemond gone, Rhaenrya dragon-waltzes into King's Landing, an entry made possible by peace-seeking former foe and childhood bestie Alicent.
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The 2018 runners-up and 2022 third-place finishers have three wins and a draw against African World Cup foes since 2014, including their third-place victory over Morocco.
Noun
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Anthony Elanga puts up a contender for the goal of the tournament with a rocket from the corner of the box into the left side of the net to bring this one back even at one goal apiece in the 62nd minute.
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Matthew Brewer, previously the CHA’s interim CEO and board chair, declared his candidacy in the 2027 mayoral race, the latest addition to a widening pool of contenders.
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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