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
Peter White, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Graduation sites weren’t even on the agenda, but School Board members still spent about four hours on the topic, rivaling the time spent on a proposal to close seven schools, a topic that some School Board members viewed as far more consequential and heartbreaking.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
Promoting the ‘Board of Peace’ On Thursday, Trump plans to talk about the Board of Peace, meant to oversee the end of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and possibly take on a broader mandate, potentially rivaling the United Nations.
—Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The organization initially was seen as a mechanism focused on ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza but is taking shape with ambitions to have a far broader mandate of other global crises, potentially rivaling the United Nations.
—Vladimir Isachenkov, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
The Balkan state has all the natural assets of its stylish neighbors, even rivalling Greece and Montenegro with the clarity of its water and stretches of sunny coastline.
—Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, 3rd Judicial District Judge Thomas Whitney listened as both sides presented their rivaling requests for incarceration terms.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Corporate bankruptcies surged in 2025, rivaling levels not seen since the immediate aftermath of the Great Recession, as import-dependent businesses absorbed the highest tariffs in decades.
—Aaron Gregg, Arkansas Online, 29 Dec. 2025
Chicago is rivaling Denver with its string of close-game wins, including a huge 24-15 victory over the Eagles last week.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
The result will be a disappointment for the streamer, which was hoping that Star Search could give it a splashy entry into the world of broadcast-style entertainment formats, rivaling the likes of NBC’s The Voice, Fox’s The Masked Singer or ABC’s American Idol.
—Peter White, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Graduation sites weren’t even on the agenda, but School Board members still spent about four hours on the topic, rivaling the time spent on a proposal to close seven schools, a topic that some School Board members viewed as far more consequential and heartbreaking.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
Promoting the ‘Board of Peace’ On Thursday, Trump plans to talk about the Board of Peace, meant to oversee the end of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, and possibly take on a broader mandate, potentially rivaling the United Nations.
—Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The organization initially was seen as a mechanism focused on ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza but is taking shape with ambitions to have a far broader mandate of other global crises, potentially rivaling the United Nations.
—Vladimir Isachenkov, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
The Balkan state has all the natural assets of its stylish neighbors, even rivalling Greece and Montenegro with the clarity of its water and stretches of sunny coastline.
—Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
On Wednesday, 3rd Judicial District Judge Thomas Whitney listened as both sides presented their rivaling requests for incarceration terms.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Corporate bankruptcies surged in 2025, rivaling levels not seen since the immediate aftermath of the Great Recession, as import-dependent businesses absorbed the highest tariffs in decades.
—Aaron Gregg, Arkansas Online, 29 Dec. 2025
Chicago is rivaling Denver with its string of close-game wins, including a huge 24-15 victory over the Eagles last week.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivaling
Adjective
-
This has been a banner offseason for the AL East, which has seen numerous impact additions as clubs load up for what should be a highly competitive 2026 season.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The proposal cited two reports that bemoaned the multiple, often overlapping and sometimes competitive, state and local entities that govern the schools.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes this takes the form of competing in different heats in the same final where the best run counts, such as with freeski events.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Yet there’s also an avalanche of more urgent issues competing for officials’ attention, like federal agents’ killing of a US citizen on Saturday.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Altair, the brightest star in the constellation Aquila, shines on the opposite side of our galaxy's glowing band, toward the left of Fathi's image.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Only 45 minutes south of downtown Buffalo, just opposite Kissing Bridge Ski Area, lies Sprague Brook Park, a mecca for winter activities of all kinds.—
Brian Higgins,
Outside,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Head coach Mike Vrabel’s team is balanced, explosive and led by quarterback Drake Maye, a 2024 NFL Draft classmate of Nix’s who authored an MVP-contending season.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
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Each of them went to court, contending that their respective state laws violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution and federal statutes barring discrimination against women in sports.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, on the opposing sideline, Broncos coach Sean Payton came under fire for a fourth-down call that ended up backfiring.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
According to the complaint, the person is charged with one count of resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating or interfering with a federal law enforcement officer.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivaling. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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