variants
or rivalled
as in competed
to engage in a contest
two longtime friends who have rivaled for the same things at every stage of their lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 rivaled
While Maduro served as the symbolic and diplomatic face of Chavismo, day-to-day authority was long dispersed among loyal enforcers, negotiators and security chiefs whose influence often rivaled — and at times surpassed — that of the president himself.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
The Mirage is a decent small car that at the time was inexpensive and the miles per gallon rivaled a hybrid due to its three-cylinder engine.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
Brigitte Bardot, the French actress who rivaled Marilyn Monroe as a cinematic goddess for more than a decade, died on Sunday, December 28 at the age of 91.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 28 Dec. 2025
The bond that Gwyneth Paltrow and Timothée Chalamet form in their new movie, Marty Supreme, is only rivaled in its unlikely sweetness by their friendship in real life.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Once thought to be a young man’s game, rappers like Nas, Jadakiss, and Wale, among others, have created projects in recent years that rivaled—if not exceeded—many of their successors.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Dec. 2025
The scent is light but complex, and only rivaled by Harrison’s other favorite The Magician, which leans far more cedarwood and smoky.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
The movie rivaled Pillion in awards tallies with four wins in total.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
According to social media, the new-to-us scent rivaled the ever-popular, albeit much pricier, Capri Blue Volcano scent.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
The Mirage is a decent small car that at the time was inexpensive and the miles per gallon rivaled a hybrid due to its three-cylinder engine.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
Brigitte Bardot, the French actress who rivaled Marilyn Monroe as a cinematic goddess for more than a decade, died on Sunday, December 28 at the age of 91.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 28 Dec. 2025
The bond that Gwyneth Paltrow and Timothée Chalamet form in their new movie, Marty Supreme, is only rivaled in its unlikely sweetness by their friendship in real life.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Once thought to be a young man’s game, rappers like Nas, Jadakiss, and Wale, among others, have created projects in recent years that rivaled—if not exceeded—many of their successors.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Dec. 2025
The scent is light but complex, and only rivaled by Harrison’s other favorite The Magician, which leans far more cedarwood and smoky.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
The movie rivaled Pillion in awards tallies with four wins in total.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 Dec. 2025
According to social media, the new-to-us scent rivaled the ever-popular, albeit much pricier, Capri Blue Volcano scent.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivaled
Verb
-
That’s a far cry from the more recent format, when the final four drivers all competed in a one-race finale for the Cup title.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Caleb Edmiston is a chiropractor who, like Herrington, has competed in mixed martial arts.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Kirton, Schulman and Hurston contended that the charter requires a separate referendum for an expense so large.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
7 Jan. 2026
-
All of Bed Bath & Beyond’s complaints have contended that the carriers compounded the retailer’s operational and financial distress throughout the pandemic as shelves went empty and costs soared, ultimately leading to the company’s demise.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Moore took a few steps to his left before pitching the ball to fellow receiver Jauan Jennings, who raced to his right as if to run.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Hurricanes raced to a 9-0 lead on back-to-back dunks by freshman Shelton Henderson, extended the gap to 17-4 and led 47-33 at halftime.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivaled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivaled. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share