rival 1 of 3

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
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

rival

2 of 3

adjective

rival

3 of 3

verb

as in to compete
to engage in a contest two longtime friends who have rivaled for the same things at every stage of their lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rival
Noun
Green Bay and Chicago — the NFL’s oldest rivals who have met 210 times — know each other well. Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Fast-casual rival Chipotle said its transactions fell 2.3% in the first quarter as consumers pulled back their spending in February, spooked by economic uncertainty. Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 15 May 2025
Adjective
The stabbings happened about 3 p.m. May 6 in the area of Willow Pass Road and Market Street and resulted from a dispute over graffiti tagging between rival gang members, police said. Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 16 May 2025 Sporting clinched the regular-season series against rival St. Louis for the first time. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025
Verb
Some red money pieces!), and from there, the salon’s appointment waitlist rivaled The Corner Store. Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 14 May 2025 Notably, Hosting's high-quality WordPress plans rival those from our Editors' Choice winner, Bluehost. PC Magazine, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
  • This approach will disarm an opponent’s ability to double-team and pack the paint while also providing the Sky more varied scoring options.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • Madrid’s lack of defensive intensity means their opponents can progress upfield with little fear at times, knowing that Ancelotti’s forward line does not provide their team-mates the protection that comes with pressing from the front.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Rather than developing models from the ground up, these organizations refine and enhance existing AI platforms with unique datasets that competitors lack.
    Dr. TJ Jiang, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • These questions and others like them may have to be answered quickly — and, depending on the answers, the show could look less distinct from its competitors.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Yet three years before Enzo joined the competitive fray under his own surname, the Maserati brothers banded together to enter their Tipo 26 in the 1926 Targa Florio endurance test.
    Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 May 2025
  • While the security threat to Americans and others is open to debate, its competitive threat to Google and Android in particular is not.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Ultimately, five singers will compete for this season's crown.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 13 May 2025
  • Fans, hedge funds, and sovereign wealth funds would all be competing to get a piece.
    Azeem Khan, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • At the same time, their moderate counterparts desire greater tax relief for those states with higher state and local tax systems and more generous assurances for Medicaid coverage.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 16 May 2025
  • Congress, the Executive Branch, and civil society must all play an active role in deepening engagement with their Taiwan counterparts.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • From foe to friend: the Los Angeles Kings have hired Ken Holland as their new general manager.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Find out if ants are friends or foes to your peonies, plus how to remove them before bringing cut peony flowers indoors.
    Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • PDFs are usually uncontested contenders (much like Microsoft) but SVG files have seemingly come out of nowhere to take up a competitive share of malicious space.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • First, Roglič and stage contender Tom Pidcock crashed and suffered punctures with 50km remaining, leaving the pair out of contention for the win — and facing a desperate battle to even regain contact with the peloton.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Leaders from both nations face mounting public pressure to show strength and seek revenge, and the heated rhetoric and competing claims could be a response to that pressure.
    Sheikh Saaliq, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, competing services are on the launchpad, including from rival billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Amazon.
    Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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