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

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

rival

3 of 3

adjective

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
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
Built using huge amounts of computing power at a Tennessee data center, Grok is Musk’s attempt to outdo rivals such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini in building an AI assistant that shows its reasoning before answering a question. Matt O’Brien, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025 After its initial success, OpenAI has faced stiff competition from rivals including Google and startup Anthropic, and is looking for new areas of growth. Kenrick Cai, USA Today, 11 July 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
  • Teams are competing to win the $50,000 grand prize.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
  • In contrast, the Cincinnati area is aging more quickly and struggling to draw in younger workers — a trend that, according to the chamber's report, could hinder the region’s ability to compete with other metros in business growth, infrastructure development, and innovation.
    Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 25 July 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
  • At the same time, Kempner notes that these personality traits—brilliant, competitive, overachieving—were almost always used to describe men.
    Tom Zeller Jr. July 30, Literary Hub, 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
  • The club’s 48 points are the most league-wide, but fellow Eastern Conference foes Nashville SC and Philadelphia Union aren’t far behind.
    Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 26 July 2025
  • Ernst said warm things about Nikki Haley, Trump’s top primary foe, but quickly backed him after Haley dropped out in 2024.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • According to multiple reports, the UFC parted ways with 33-year-old Slovakian heavyweight contender Martin Buday.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • 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
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
  • At the meeting, Demings contended that having corrections officers — who are county employees — transport detainees to facilities like Alligator Alcatraz, about 240 miles south of the jail, is a bridge too far.
    Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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