Synonyms of rival

rival 1 of 3

noun

ˈrī-vəl 

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

• equivalent
• counterpart
• partner
• fellow
• colleague
• peer
• coordinate
• competitor
• parallel
• match
• compeer
• like
• equal
• coequal
• companion
• half
• analogue
• twin
• associate
• double
• mate
• copartner

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

• opponent
• foe
• competitor
• adversary
• contestant
• antagonist
• enemy
• match
• nemesis
• archenemy
• attacker
• equal
• invader
• combatant
• assailant
• bane
• curse
• bête noire

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• ally
• accomplice
• champion
• advocate
• proponent
• supporter
• confederate
• exponent
• sympathizer

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

• competitor
• contender
• contestant
• challenger
• competition
• finalist
• archrival
• corrival
• entrant
• player
• opponent
• adversary
• entry
• also-ran
• antagonist
• semifinalist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• ally
• teammate
• collaborator
• noncompetitor
• supporter
• backer

rival

2 of 3

adjective

as in competitive

Related Words

• competitive
• competing
• rivalrous
• dynamic
• enterprising
• driving
• industrious
• hustling
• hungry
• motivated
• scrappy
• diligent
• venturesome
• spirited
• determined
• eager
• animated
• lively
• venturous
• ardent
• gung ho
• impassioned
• avid
• vigorous
• opportunistic
• aggressive
• high-flying
• energetic
• aspiring
• overambitious
• ambitious
• assertive
• pushy
• pretentious
• keen
• pushing
• hard-driving
• raring
• self-assertive
• go-getting
• self-seeking

Dissimilar Words

• indifferent
• disinterested
• uninterested
• casual
• unenthusiastic
• apathetic
• lackadaisical
• unexcited
• easygoing
• tepid
• lukewarm
• uneager
• halfhearted
• sluggish
• listless
• lethargic
• lazy
• shiftless
• spiritless
• lazyish
• unaggressive
• unassertive
• unambitious
• ambitionless

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

• compete
• contend
• race
• fight
• battle
• vie
• face off
• challenge
• play
• engage
• maneuver
• jockey
• go out
• jostle
• try out
• work
• train

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rival

Noun

The helo had to be chosen and fitted in the sprawling backyard property of a news executive, out of sight of rivals. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

Chelsea, which is sixth in the Premier League standings, next faces London rival Brentford on Friday. — Tony Jimenez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Shares of rival Minimax have struggled in recent months to hold above their IPO-day gains, after seeing shares spike in the spring. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

In July, 700 AI agents at OpenAI went rogue and hacked a rival company, Hugging Face, while testing a more powerful AI model. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

To those who can (and can’t) get in Despite its hole-in-the-wall scenes that rival something found in New York, Zero Zero is hardly a secret. — Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026

Novo rivals Lilly, Merck, and Roche have all invested in AI, though it has largely been used to improve workplace productivity and design clinical trials, rather than discover new drugs. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026