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
David Wickert, AJC.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Except Altman and Amodei, whose companies are bitter rivals, didn’t follow suit.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 19 Feb. 2026
Lauren Wilson, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
BridgeBio Pharma’s experimental drug for the most common cause of dwarfism accelerated children’s growth in a pivotal clinical trial, outperforming a rival medicine and clearing the way for the company to seek regulatory approval.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
In addition to inter-hub transport benefits, the park is only 31 miles from Vizag Port, allowing BIAC to offer lead times that rival those from key sourcing destinations such as Chittagong and Shanghai.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
The temporary restraining order comes in a lawsuit brought by Rick Jackson, one of Jones’ rival for the Republican nomination.
—David Wickert, AJC.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Except Altman and Amodei, whose companies are bitter rivals, didn’t follow suit.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
On her 18th birthday, Aria’s Chicago mobster father tells her that she’s expected to marry Luca, the vicious heir to a rival New York City gang.
—Lauren Wilson, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
BridgeBio Pharma’s experimental drug for the most common cause of dwarfism accelerated children’s growth in a pivotal clinical trial, outperforming a rival medicine and clearing the way for the company to seek regulatory approval.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
This is reflected in the local real estate market; Charlotte consistently ranks in the top three nationally for office leasing and absorption, rivaling much larger hubs like New York and Dallas.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
In addition to inter-hub transport benefits, the park is only 31 miles from Vizag Port, allowing BIAC to offer lead times that rival those from key sourcing destinations such as Chittagong and Shanghai.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
Ewing, a Grade II winner at Saratoga, in the $150,000 Ozark Stakes, the Dixie Belle equivalent for 3-year-old males.—
Bob Wisener,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The 100-light-year-wide expanse of the Rosette Nebula is estimated to have a staggering mass the equivalent to 10,000 suns and has been sculpted and eroded by the radiation from nearby stars.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And males are more aggressive when the opponent is the same color, and brighter.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Now Rubio was telling liberal centrist foreign leaders that their entire outlook was wrong, echoing the far-right populist opponents who might well unseat them in upcoming elections.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Other competitors like Surge AI, Handshake and Micro1 have helped mint a new class of young, ultra-wealthy tech founders.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Two Fort Worth All Saints competitors came home with Gold in their respective weight classes.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league's competitive integrity.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Celebrate with an activity that allows for big release of energies, something athletic or competitive; a sedentary pleasure could lead to discord.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then a week later, Heraskevych received a wave of sympathetic support when he was forced out of the skeleton for refusing to compete without a helmet adorned with more than 20 elite Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have been killed in the war.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Nearly 2,900 athletes from more than 90 national Olympic committees are competing at the Winter Games across 116 medal events across eight sports.—
Lee Ying Shan,Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Chinese authorities reportedly turned down the idea, preferring instead to deal with European leaders one by one, and Macron agreed to come without his EU counterpart.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Lower earners historically see higher rates of inflation than their better-off counterparts, said Morgan Stanley economist Heather Berger.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Aggies’ starting pitcher Weston Moss was strong against the Southern Conference foe.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Navalny, who crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests as President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest foe, died in the Arctic penal colony in February 2024.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, some Democratic contenders for president and lesser offices are making artificial intelligence regulation key parts of their platforms — because voters do actually care about the issue.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In a follow-up phone interview, Hueffmeier framed himself as a serious contender for the seat.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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