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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivaled
Stretching up to 62 feet long, the ancient predator dwarfed modern giant squid and may have rivaled some of the most formidable hunters of the Cretaceous oceans.
—
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
But the 2021 and 2022 seasons inform how the Rams have come to operate in the four years since, with the desire to win rivaled only by the refusal to experience such a hangover again.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
It's only rivaled by the tax code in complexity.
—Ted Koppel, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
The Filipino girl group, comprising Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena, became the first band from the Philippines to perform at the music festival — and the Pinoy pride shone back at them, with a packed crowd whose exuberance rivaled the energy exuding from BINI onstage.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026
The canopied king bed is rivaled by a walk-in wardrobe that would be right at home in the Gilded Age.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Their performance went on for nearly a minute, and the team’s cheer after successfully completing the number rivaled its reaction when the buzzer hit zero on a 70-52 victory over the Fighting Irish.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
But fuelled by passion and indignation, Saturday’s atmosphere rivalled anything the old ground served up.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
At its height in the 1950s and ’60s, the corridor rivaled the energy of the Magnificent Mile.
—Tonika Lewis Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
But the 2021 and 2022 seasons inform how the Rams have come to operate in the four years since, with the desire to win rivaled only by the refusal to experience such a hangover again.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
It's only rivaled by the tax code in complexity.
—Ted Koppel, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
The Filipino girl group, comprising Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena, became the first band from the Philippines to perform at the music festival — and the Pinoy pride shone back at them, with a packed crowd whose exuberance rivaled the energy exuding from BINI onstage.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2026
The canopied king bed is rivaled by a walk-in wardrobe that would be right at home in the Gilded Age.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026
Their performance went on for nearly a minute, and the team’s cheer after successfully completing the number rivaled its reaction when the buzzer hit zero on a 70-52 victory over the Fighting Irish.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
But fuelled by passion and indignation, Saturday’s atmosphere rivalled anything the old ground served up.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
At its height in the 1950s and ’60s, the corridor rivaled the energy of the Magnificent Mile.
—Tonika Lewis Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivaled
Verb
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Sojic has also competed in multiple FIBA competitions with Serbia.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Hudson previously won a Division 4 NCA Collegiate Championship with Bridgewater State in 2021, and in recent years she's also competed in Miss Maine USA pageants, placing second at the 2024 event and coming in third place in 2025.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The company's lawyers have contended that the Oklahoma case in which Drummond intervened is a private dispute that doesn't involve government officials or public funds.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
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And in an effort to rebut claims that Comey was being selectively prosecuted, Blanche contended the case against the former FBI director was similar to other threats cases the department routinely brings against the lesser known.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Their fans will have cast a nervous glance at the goal difference column after City raced into the lead at Turf Moor through Erling Haaland after five minutes.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Marlins raced out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to Xavier Edwards’ RBI double and Liam Hicks’ two-run homer, an impressive drive that cut through a cold San Francisco night.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivaled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivaled. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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