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
One of the fiercest divisional rivalries in the NFL will have a new look to it.
—
Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Cherfilus-McCormick referenced a previous interaction with Wasserman Schultz, signaling that political rivalries could intensify if both enter the race for District 20.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Six months after one of college football’s most storied rivalries stalled, USC and Notre Dame are in active discussions to resume play, The Times has learned.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The shorter regular season, smaller playoff field relative to the size of the sport, historic rivalries and the organization of teams into (formerly) regional conferences created a unique dynamic.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
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 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
Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Cherfilus-McCormick referenced a previous interaction with Wasserman Schultz, signaling that political rivalries could intensify if both enter the race for District 20.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Six months after one of college football’s most storied rivalries stalled, USC and Notre Dame are in active discussions to resume play, The Times has learned.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The shorter regular season, smaller playoff field relative to the size of the sport, historic rivalries and the organization of teams into (formerly) regional conferences created a unique dynamic.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026
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 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
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
-
Those struggles can manifest in a range of ways, McClanahan said, from finding new coping mechanisms to replace food to ongoing body image concerns, even after weight loss.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
14 May 2026
-
During the meeting, teams spoke about their struggles to support their travel to competitions.—
Katie Servas,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Most of those have come from physical duels in the box but a few were the result of frustration, too.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
-
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
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
-
As YouTube has invested in its lean-back offerings designed for TV viewers, ESPN has brought more longform and live content to the platform, including live streams of elite youth basketball, flag football and volleyball competitions.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
-
Cooking competitions bring together local chefs and home cooks, who showcase their creativity with traditional recipes and creative interpretations of the fruit.—
Taryn White,
Forbes.com,
15 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 18 May. 2026.
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