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
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Recent Examples of rival
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
In both his previous wins, in China and Japan, Antonelli greatly benefitted from his Mercedes car having a big pace advantage over its rivals, said Tom Cary in The Daily Telegraph.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 May 2026
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The logline concerns two rival spies who cross paths in a Lamaze class as their wives become fast friends.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Meals here rival those in larger cities, but navigability and affordability encourage exploration, offering visitors a chance to taste their way through multi-course menus and hidden gems alike.
—Lori Fredrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
The rule requires stations to give equal airtime to all legally qualified candidates for public office — if one is featured, his or her rivals have to be given time, too.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
In both his previous wins, in China and Japan, Antonelli greatly benefitted from his Mercedes car having a big pace advantage over its rivals, said Tom Cary in The Daily Telegraph.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 May 2026
Adjective
His first playoff run ended in disaster — a first-round exit at the hands of the rival Timberwolves, who finished the series without their starting backcourt available.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The logline concerns two rival spies who cross paths in a Lamaze class as their wives become fast friends.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Verb
That includes showdowns with district rivals Sandburg and Stagg plus area powerhouses Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East and Lockport.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Meals here rival those in larger cities, but navigability and affordability encourage exploration, offering visitors a chance to taste their way through multi-course menus and hidden gems alike.
—Lori Fredrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
Sixty-five years later, two of the most consequential business leaders of this century — Tim Cook of Apple and Reed Hastings of Netflix — have given us the corporate equivalent.—
Paul Hardart,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
Researchers now hope to push the double copy framework even further by searching for particle-physics equivalents of other black hole features, including the event horizon itself — the boundary beyond which nothing can escape.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
When President John Quincy Adams accepted Bolívar’s invitation, his opponents pounced.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
While the group has 13 instances of holding opponents to one earned run or fewer — including five when asked to cover at least three innings — the bullpen also has given up five runs or more in seven of 24 league games.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
This dynamic creates a survival-of-the-fittest scenario where smaller companies — who can’t afford to sit on piles of unsold metals — might be forced into the arms of larger competitors.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
4 May 2026
-
Travis Madeira, a fourth-generation lobsterman who founded the lobster-shipping business LobsterBoys with his brother, makes about 80% of his sales to Americans, unlike some competitors who primarily export.—
Matt Sedensky,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Outside the venue, the earlier rally led by former NCAA athlete Sophia Lorey focused on fairness and competitive balance in girls’ sports.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
But there are some important factors that could lower their ceiling, namely depressed enthusiasm with some key groups, the fact that there are fewer competitive districts than ever before and the state of the redistricting battle.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
His interest in the game sparked from watching his older brother, Nick, compete at Stagg and Joliet Junior College.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
Sasaki is one of three young pitchers at the back end of the rotation, along with right-hander Emmet Sheehan and left-hander Justin Wrobleski, who are competing for two spots once Snell returns.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Their Democratic counterparts have often lagged in comparison.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi pressed his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and refrain from resuming hostilities during a meeting in Beijing.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
These two Central Division foes know each other well.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
-
Jones won a close battle with Avery Tibbs of downstate Washington and fellow DuPage Valley Conference foe Danyella Mporokoso of Waubonsie Valley to win the award, as voted on by coaches and media statewide.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
While some contenders tasted nearly candied, the sugar here was just enough to balance the other flavors at play.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 May 2026
-
Green also mixed it up with Barkley, a longtime subject of Warriors fans’ ire because of his status as a holdout against the early Curry-Green-Klay Thompson Golden State teams’ viability as a true contender, citing their reliance on jumpshooting.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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