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
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
But now, as the company’s recently launched ChatGPT soared, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had discovered that Musk was planning a rival AI venture and poaching talent from the start-up, according to federal court testimony this week.
—Elizabeth Dwoskin, Washington Post, 8 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
In the Mayflower Athletic Conference, TJ Willis potted a pair of goals and dished out an assist as Southeastern defeated rival Blue Hills, 7-3.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
But now, as the company’s recently launched ChatGPT soared, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had discovered that Musk was planning a rival AI venture and poaching talent from the start-up, according to federal court testimony this week.
—Elizabeth Dwoskin, Washington Post, 8 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
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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
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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
-
Unsurprisingly, opponents of surrogacy have seized on the Arcadia scandal to call for an outright ban on the practice.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Sara Keck struck out eight while going the distance as Wilmington won 5-1 over Middlesex League opponent Lexington.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
10 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
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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
-
But please remember – this team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
And Joly’s ability to stick in Denver and compete with Engram in camp will ultimately come down to Payton’s trust in Joly as a blocker, as Engram was on the field in a blocking role for just 18% of his snaps in 2025.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 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
-
But soon enough, old secrets and new foes force them back together.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
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The nonconference schedule is loaded with power conference foes and could be the most ambitious in school history.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
Noun
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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 17 May. 2026.
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