Synonyms of rival

rival 1 of 3

noun

ˈrī-vəl 

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

• equivalent
• counterpart
• partner
• fellow
• colleague
• peer
• coordinate
• competitor
• parallel
• match
• compeer
• like
• equal
• coequal
• companion
• half
• analogue
• twin
• associate
• double
• mate
• copartner

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

• opponent
• foe
• competitor
• adversary
• contestant
• antagonist
• enemy
• match
• nemesis
• archenemy
• attacker
• equal
• invader
• combatant
• assailant
• bane
• curse
• bête noire

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• ally
• accomplice
• champion
• advocate
• proponent
• supporter
• confederate
• exponent
• sympathizer

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

• competitor
• contender
• contestant
• challenger
• competition
• finalist
• archrival
• corrival
• entrant
• player
• opponent
• adversary
• entry
• also-ran
• antagonist
• semifinalist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• ally
• teammate
• collaborator
• noncompetitor
• supporter
• backer

rival

2 of 3

adjective

as in competitive

Related Words

• competitive
• competing
• rivalrous
• dynamic
• enterprising
• driving
• industrious
• hustling
• hungry
• motivated
• scrappy
• diligent
• venturesome
• spirited
• determined
• eager
• animated
• lively
• venturous
• ardent
• gung ho
• impassioned
• avid
• vigorous
• opportunistic
• aggressive
• high-flying
• energetic
• aspiring
• overambitious
• ambitious
• assertive
• pushy
• pretentious
• keen
• pushing
• hard-driving
• raring
• self-assertive
• go-getting
• self-seeking

Dissimilar Words

• indifferent
• disinterested
• uninterested
• casual
• unenthusiastic
• apathetic
• lackadaisical
• unexcited
• easygoing
• tepid
• lukewarm
• uneager
• halfhearted
• sluggish
• listless
• lethargic
• lazy
• shiftless
• spiritless
• lazyish
• unaggressive
• unassertive
• unambitious
• ambitionless

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

• compete
• contend
• race
• fight
• battle
• vie
• face off
• challenge
• play
• engage
• maneuver
• jockey
• go out
• jostle
• try out
• work
• train

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rival

Noun

The victim, who Cofield considered a romantic rival, survived the 2018 drive-by shooting but was left paralyzed from the waist down. — Danny Robbins, AJC.com, 16 July 2026

These agreements secured a multibillion dollar revenue stream, but directly benefited xAI’s biggest rivals — and in a way, waved a big white flag. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 16 July 2026

Adjective

America at 250 seems stuck in a miasma of rival populisms that offer irreconcilable visions for curing what ails our country. — Will Marshall, Washington Post, 18 July 2026

The European Commission said the preloading of Gemini onto Android devices reduced the attractiveness of rival third-party models for the 60% of EU adults who use Android. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 17 July 2026

Verb

With an economy approaching $4 trillion, the state rivals the world’s largest national economies. — John Eger, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

Strappy sandals with cool toe-ring details, are rivaling flip-flops as the shoe of summer. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 16 July 2026