rival 1 of 3

noun

ˈrī-vəl How to pronounce rival (audio)
Definition of rivalnext
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

rival

2 of 3

adjective

as in competitive

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

rival

3 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

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
Their Democratic rivals are hitting back, saying the efforts have either not gone far enough or are self-serving in the final weeks of the campaign. — David Hickey, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026 And losing to an AFC South rival would only make things worse. — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Six points from six games represents United's worst start in the Premier League era, and on Sunday comes a clash with fierce rival Leeds at Elland Road, coincidentally the setting for Amorim's final game. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 New series from Netflix also haven’t captured as much consumer demand as other competing shows from rival streamers, according to Parrot Analytics. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
The great outdoors The outdoor space of Crawford’s Brentwood home rivaled its tasteful interior. — Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026 Icotyde is the first oral drug in the IL-23 inhibitor class to hit the market, rivaling best-selling shots such as J & J's Tremfya and AbbVie's Skyrizi. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
  1. equivalent
  2. opponent
  3. competitor
  4. competitive
  5. compete
  6. counterpart
  7. foe
  8. contender
Noun
  • So language modeling seems to be merely a powerful component of human cognition, not its equivalent or source.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Before the war, a room at the hotel had cost the equivalent of five euros a night.
    — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of equivalent
Noun
  • The ad also accuses his Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter, of telling lies about him.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Back checks to break up opponents’ plays in the Panthers’ zone.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • If Skydance increases spending on content, that could push its competitors to also invest more, Laurent Yoon, senior analyst at the research and brokerage firm Bernstein, told me.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Headquartered just outside Paris, the 128-year-old French giant is using this platform to prove that traditional European brands can out-innovate the incoming tide of Asian competitors.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of competitor
Adjective
  • In my opinion in our competitive market the setup will strengthen Paramount+ and that in the end Paramount+ may become a stronger partner under the Skydance banner – at least in the next years.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Making short-haul rail more competitive Parallel argues that its system could open routes that are currently difficult for conventional rail services to serve economically, particularly journeys under 500 miles.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of competitive
Verb
  • At festivals, a party and a movie can compete for the same people.
    — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Seven strangers from different countries and backgrounds are forced to compete in a deadly game, each facing a different mission to rescue a loved one.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of compete
Noun
  • Even after the setback, young households remained wealthier than their counterparts were before the pandemic.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In more recent times, moreover, the first steps taken by the Third Reich toward the Holocaust began with the economic boycott of the Jews, who were accused of harming the businesses and positions of their Aryan counterparts.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of counterpart
Noun
  • After building an action camera capable of tracking speedy cyclists and skiers, HoverAir decided to tackle a foe that had foiled other consumer drone manufacturers.
    — Max Cea, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Ward is 3-19 as a starting quarterback, which includes a 0-7 mark against AFC South foes, and is staring another loss to a divisional rival in the face with the Titans traveling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts on Sunday.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of foe
Noun
  • Trezavant Boyd and James Perrone are both contenders for the Nat Moore Trophy, an award recognizing South Florida's top high school football player.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Fest director Susan Koch is landing more and more top Oscar contenders and talent every year, as well as Oscar pundits to cover them.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of contender

Browse Nearby Words

ritzy
rival
rivaled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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