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
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Take a look at their crosstown rivals for a good comparison.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Prosecutors argue Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin were part of rival groups that challenged each other, while defense attorneys contend the shooting was self-defense triggered by Sergio Harris.
—Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
To find a historical equivalent, scientists have had to reach all the way back to 1877, when a merciless El Niño unleashed death on a scale few events can rival.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
Carrick, Berrada, and Wilcox were all at Manchester City’s Joie Stadium on Thursday night as United’s under-18s lost the FA Youth Cup final 2-1 to their local rivals.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Take a look at their crosstown rivals for a good comparison.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Adjective
The demonstration took place on the same day as a large pro-Palestinian Nakba Day march elsewhere in central London, prompting one of the Metropolitan Police's largest public order operations in recent years amid fears of clashes between rival groups.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 16 May 2026
Prosecutors argue Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin were part of rival groups that challenged each other, while defense attorneys contend the shooting was self-defense triggered by Sergio Harris.
—Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026
Verb
This outdoor grilling area has thoughtfully chosen amenities that rival many indoor kitchens.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
To find a historical equivalent, scientists have had to reach all the way back to 1877, when a merciless El Niño unleashed death on a scale few events can rival.
—Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
But, after a period of upheaval that has few equivalents in recent OM history, there are signs the club’s decision-makers are getting serious about tamping down the flames.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
The price of a bag of fertilizer has more than doubled in Disanaayake's area, from the equivalent of $15 dollars, to $37 dollars.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Another candidate was an outspoken opponent, contending that the project was a sop to developers.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Sunday marked the second time this season that the Fever held an opponent to 78 points, which fittingly coincides with the team’s two wins.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Now the airline’s demise has cleared the way for competitors to raise their prices—and has left roughly seventeen thousand people out of work.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
The bad blood that had festered between the two competitors came to a boiling point.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Huskies bounced back from a 17-3 loss to Texas A&M on Friday to get a win and earn a rematch, then played a much more competitive game against the Aggies, making a number of stellar defensive plays to stay close for most of the game.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
Building on this experience, IDOM will continue with its technological development, working towards a commercial-sized WEC that will produce electricity at a competitive price.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
And before this win, Rai was expecting to have to compete on the PGA Tour’s fall schedule to work his way up the FedEx Cup rankings.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
The program also ensured any female athlete who finished one spot out of qualifying for the state finals in events that included a trans competitor, to compete for the title as well.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s meetings with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, began at the Great Hall of the People moments after a welcome ceremony that seemed to impress the president, featuring a Chinese military honor guard and a greeting from excited schoolchildren.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
Matthews’s numbers are still worth watching, but Footer gives Matthews’s male counterparts perhaps too much credit.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Philly’s fans show out like few others can, and they’ll be leveled up in the presence of such familiar foes.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
But Sean Payton’s team was also abnormally good in one-score games, won its final two against division foes without their starting quarterbacks, played a third-place schedule and stayed fairly healthy — until overtime of the divisional round, at least.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Barring an Eric Swalwell-style blow-up, the top three — Becerra, Steyer and Hilton — are really the only true contenders.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
King is more likely to be a lock for the practice squad than a legitimate contender for the 53-man roster entering OTAs.—
Mike Kaye
Updated May 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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