as in battles
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools
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Recent Examples of rivalries
That’s why the series’ episodes that focus specifically on his rivalries with other climbers, in particular Honnold and Hunt, feel the most enlightening.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
The unanimous decision came during a nine-hour-long meeting that included several tense moments arising out of longstanding political rivalries.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Her defeat is likely to weaken her leverage within an opposition bloc already divided by regional rivalries.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
The playoff rubber match of one of the NBA’s best rivalries was filled with trash talk, confrontation and angst, all unavoidable when two teams meet 32 times in four years, including three postseason showdowns.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Over the course of three decades, multiple law enforcement agencies tried to crack the case as conspiracy theories involving complex gang and music-related rivalries swirled.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The announcement also follows years of divergence between Emirati and Saudi oil policies, as well as the growth of competitive rivalries between the two countries over wider regional questions.
—Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026
The film traces his long-running bid to step out of Chun’s shadow and claim the top seat himself, examining the web of alliances, rivalries, and institutional maneuvers that defines his ascent.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
White told reporters at his Halas Hall introduction that his on-field tenacity comes from rivalries with his brothers and dad that stoked his fire and gave him a cutthroat edge.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
The unanimous decision came during a nine-hour-long meeting that included several tense moments arising out of longstanding political rivalries.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
Her defeat is likely to weaken her leverage within an opposition bloc already divided by regional rivalries.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
The playoff rubber match of one of the NBA’s best rivalries was filled with trash talk, confrontation and angst, all unavoidable when two teams meet 32 times in four years, including three postseason showdowns.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Over the course of three decades, multiple law enforcement agencies tried to crack the case as conspiracy theories involving complex gang and music-related rivalries swirled.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
The announcement also follows years of divergence between Emirati and Saudi oil policies, as well as the growth of competitive rivalries between the two countries over wider regional questions.
—Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026
The film traces his long-running bid to step out of Chun’s shadow and claim the top seat himself, examining the web of alliances, rivalries, and institutional maneuvers that defines his ascent.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
White told reporters at his Halas Hall introduction that his on-field tenacity comes from rivalries with his brothers and dad that stoked his fire and gave him a cutthroat edge.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalries
Noun
-
The Alabama case is part of a broader national wave of redistricting battles.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
-
In the legal battles that will follow, artificial intelligence may prove to be the sharpest tool in the courtroom.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
In previous Middle East conflicts, American diplomats constantly shuttled across the region, working with allies to build up momentum for a political resolution.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Instead, the data revealed a planet in flux where areas brightened explosively in one year and dimmed sharply the next; regions flickered in rhythms tied to oil booms, armed conflicts, and pandemic lockdowns.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
And, perhaps, his mental-health struggles, his mood swings, and the antisocial behaviors that The Dark Wizard recounts and suggests were the cost of — or maybe the reason for — his athletic prowess.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
-
Yet those absences alone cannot explain the breadth of struggles threatening the Astros’ season.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The team won 64% of its duels overall and 81% of aerial duels while making more tackles, interceptions, clearances and more.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
-
Both teams pressed man-to-man with relentless intensity, and the game became a chain of one-on-one duels.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
Critics, including humanitarian groups, say the arrangement has fueled tensions with rescue organizations and exposed migrants to abuse when they are intercepted and returned to Libya, while also leading to confrontations between Libyan patrols and NGO vessels.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
-
The consultants have offered better ways to de-escalate confrontations with residents without resorting to the use of restraints such as the ones used on Moore, Brezee said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The 2-2 draw halted San Diego’s five-match losing streak in MLS play, but stretched its winless run across all competitions to nine matches.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
The Lions have scored multiple goals in four consecutive games across all competitions.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The main contentions were the state not fully funding public schools according to the state’s funding formula and an additional $10 million to support the Missouri Scholars Program, which can go toward students in private schools.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
-
The passing of time is the only thing that will reveal the veracity of their contentions and what some of the underlying numbers suggest regarding the quality of their at-bats not being reflected in their production.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, however, the study documented dimming events including in Ukraine and Gaza as wars unfolded, in Venezuela as the economy collapsed, and in parts of Europe when governments enacted energy conservation mandates following the Russia-Ukraine war.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
If things go according to sales agents’ plans, the bidding wars will flow as freely as the rosé.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivalries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalries. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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