variants
or rivalling
as in competitive
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Dissimilar Words
variants
or rivalling
as in competing
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
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Recent Examples of rivaling
Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
The poster for Godard’s film is a masterpiece, rivalling the clarity of the movie.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
That splurge — rivaling the costliest human endeavors in history — is borne out of ambitions to outdo their giant rivals in a field that could determine their futures.
—Debby Wu, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Ten states representing 100 million Americans could create a surveillance network rivaling what the CDC provided.
—Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
This is reflected in the local real estate market; Charlotte consistently ranks in the top three nationally for office leasing and absorption, rivaling much larger hubs like New York and Dallas.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Pairing Harden and Donovan Mitchell possibly gives Cleveland the best back court duo in all of basketball (yes, better than Brunson and Bridges, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, rivaling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams in Oklahoma City).
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
Trump decided to preach fire and brimstone at the normally bipartisan and staid National Prayer Breakfast — rivaling his performance at Davos recently.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
Historically, the February holiday is known for being an auspicious time to buy a new bed, with some of the discounts on mattresses even rivaling Cyber Monday deals.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
That splurge — rivaling the costliest human endeavors in history — is borne out of ambitions to outdo their giant rivals in a field that could determine their futures.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
The poster for Godard’s film is a masterpiece, rivalling the clarity of the movie.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
That splurge — rivaling the costliest human endeavors in history — is borne out of ambitions to outdo their giant rivals in a field that could determine their futures.
—Debby Wu, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Ten states representing 100 million Americans could create a surveillance network rivaling what the CDC provided.
—Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
This is reflected in the local real estate market; Charlotte consistently ranks in the top three nationally for office leasing and absorption, rivaling much larger hubs like New York and Dallas.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Pairing Harden and Donovan Mitchell possibly gives Cleveland the best back court duo in all of basketball (yes, better than Brunson and Bridges, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, rivaling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams in Oklahoma City).
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
Trump decided to preach fire and brimstone at the normally bipartisan and staid National Prayer Breakfast — rivaling his performance at Davos recently.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
Historically, the February holiday is known for being an auspicious time to buy a new bed, with some of the discounts on mattresses even rivaling Cyber Monday deals.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivaling
Adjective
-
Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league's competitive integrity.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Celebrate with an activity that allows for big release of energies, something athletic or competitive; a sedentary pleasure could lead to discord.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Three incumbents and one challenger are competing for three open seats on the board of commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, a low-profile but surprisingly big and important special purpose government agency serving Cook County.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The International Paralympic Committee has lifted a ban in place for three years on athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus competing under their national flags.—
Mariia Kashchenko,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
On the 16th pitch of Yamamoto’s live batting practice, Kim crushed an opposite-field home run, dazzling the hundreds of Dodgers fans gathered to watch the team ready itself for its first slate of exhibition games that begin Saturday.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie split up, and Madame Tussauds Orlando repositioned their wax figures, coolly, on opposite sides of its A-List party room.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Council members Marc Whyte and Misty Spears opposed the move, contending that the city should not interfere with ICE’s work and doing so could result in lawsuits.—
Madison Iszler,
San Antonio Express-News,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Of all of the non-playoff teams, Baltimore is the closest to contending.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Switch up the protein in your gumbo based on the opposing team that game day.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
-
This season in particular, home games have been a short respite from the hostile environments UConn has faced on the road, where – just about – every opposing team and fan base makes the most of their shot at one of the top teams in the country.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivaling. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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