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
Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The club took two of three games against their American League Central rivals.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
For a series built entirely around the tension and intimacy between two rival hockey players, pushing that element to the back half of a six-episode season would have fundamentally reshaped the story.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The adjoining dining room isn’t just a place to eat but a grand stage for culinary theatrics—its scale rivaling that of a banquet hall in a boutique hotel.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
The Night Circus ignites magical realism and rivals-to-lovers alongside a satisfying romance.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The club took two of three games against their American League Central rivals.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Curbing the supply of either raises the costs of its rival category.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
For a series built entirely around the tension and intimacy between two rival hockey players, pushing that element to the back half of a six-episode season would have fundamentally reshaped the story.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
Some officials and analysts warn that the economic fallout could even rival the disruption caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The adjoining dining room isn’t just a place to eat but a grand stage for culinary theatrics—its scale rivaling that of a banquet hall in a boutique hotel.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
As first impressions go, this was the equivalent of forgetting a date’s name, checking the phone while ordering, and deciding to talk religion and politics over dessert.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
This means that the awe and wonder of seeing a game like retro game Defender, or a modern equivalent, in an arcade in 2026 is incredibly rare.—
Daryl Baxter,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And yet the first half Sunday felt worse, because of the appalling volume of wide open Pacers three-pointers and the poor quality of the injury-riddled opponent.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Heat have gone 23-22 against Eastern Conference opponents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the first episode’s Elimination Challenge‚ which was focused on North Carolina’s state vegetable, sweet potatoes — Cochran cooked up a pork loin in the kitchen at La Belle Helene that wasn’t quite cooked through, landing her in the bottom three competitors.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The criticism has only grown louder during the build to WrestleMania 42, with her feud against Ripley drawing significant attention due to the level of both competitors involved.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Republicans broadly supported the administration's military action in Iran, but most GOP incumbents in competitive races have noticeably ducked addressing rising gas prices while defending the war itself.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Missouri showed flashes of becoming a competitive SEC team, particularly on offensively, but struggled to sustain success against deeper opponents.—
Aaron Segal,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the market for preterm nutrition, Abbott and Mead Johnson compete with each other, not against the use of human milk, the companies told KFF Health News.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Any organization with 50 or more employees in the state is eligible to compete for a Top Workplaces award.—
Bob Helbig,
Freep.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The street-level outpost of the famed Champs d’Elysee bistro, Fouquet’s restaurant is a destination in itself, with signature red and black bar mirroring its Paris (and Louvre Abu Dhabi) counterpart.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
How Charlotte salaries compares to other NC cities Most of Charlotte’s top employees make more than their counterparts across the state.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The teams are potential first-round playoff foes, depending on how high the 10th-place Hornets can climb in the conference standings.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
That sounds more like a right-wing foe of public financing than a supporter.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The first debate between presidential candidates occurred on May 17, 1948, when Republican contenders Thomas Dewey and Harold Stassen matched wits.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Voters, including myself, had to select seven artists from the record-tying 17 on the shortlist, the majority of them being contenders for the first time.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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