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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rival
Seth Harp, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2025
At the time, Veronica was working a desk job for a rival insurance agent.
—Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2025
Jane Ho, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The arrangement will give Disney more heft at the negotiating table with distributors and new firepower in its effort to outmaneuver streaming rivals.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 25 July 2025
With its immaculate box seats and stage to rival any Broadway theater, the Grand Ballroom is the city’s only three-tiered ballroom, accommodating an astounding 1,550 guests.
—Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
Not long after, the rogue commandos again betrayed their employers, struck out on their own, and formed a rival cartel.
—Seth Harp, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2025
At the time, Veronica was working a desk job for a rival insurance agent.
—Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2025
Verb
Intense competition from smaller rivals amid sluggish demand caused the company’s shares to tumble to an eight-year low in April, dragging down Belo’s net worth by over 40% to $520 million, the biggest drop on the list in percentage terms.
—Jane Ho, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The arrangement will give Disney more heft at the negotiating table with distributors and new firepower in its effort to outmaneuver streaming rivals.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
OpenAI is also said to be working on productivity tools to rival Microsoft Office and Google Workplace.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 25 July 2025
With its immaculate box seats and stage to rival any Broadway theater, the Grand Ballroom is the city’s only three-tiered ballroom, accommodating an astounding 1,550 guests.
—Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
His ability to box out an opponent for a rebound is something he’s carried to the football field with jump balls.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The Riverside sheriff had two months’ head start against his GOP opponent, former Fox News host Steve Hilton, who entered the race in April and raised more than $1.5 million.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Deutsche Bank: Buy, price target to $266 from $230 Amazon market share gains have accelerated in the absence of e-commerce competitors Temu and Shein, supporting a case for upside in second- and third-quarter numbers, analyst Lee Horowitz said in a July 22 report.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
31 July 2025
-
Rather than relying exclusively on team members for data insights and execution, understanding how to effectively use AI tools will enable creative directors to significantly enhance their team’s efficiency and stay ahead of competitors.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
The plan is for Richardson to play one quarter and another half quarter before being replaced by Daniel Jones, who is competing with Richardson for the QB1 title, for the rest of the first half.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Ten albums are competing for the best independent album prize.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There are many factors to explain why two particular teams unite on the dance floor, from executive friendships to teams’ competitive cycles.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
-
And in a multigenerational workforce, using AI to deliver the right benefit at the right time may be the next competitive edge.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
Those traits are evident now in his younger counterpart.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
-
Losing patience with Putin, Trump has accused his Russian counterpart of being open to a ceasefire during private conversations, only to carry out attacks on Ukraine afterward.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Wednesday returns to the Gothic halls of Nevermore Academy, where fresh foes and woes await.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
7 Aug. 2025
-
But Birmingham are expected to be one of the clubs in contention for a play-offs spot, perhaps alongside former League One foes Wrexham.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Kienholz was probably the slightly better of the two contenders, but the goal for both is to start stringing good practices together to make the decision easier.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
-
According to multiple reports, the UFC parted ways with 33-year-old Slovakian heavyweight contender Martin Buday.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
In its petition to the Travis County state District Court, IGT contends that donating to a caucus is not the same as contributing to a political campaign.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Hatfield contended that violated the Arkansas Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys as well as Texas law, rendering the Nunez contract invalid and unenforceable, Brooks' opinion states.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
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