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
Despite the ferocious domestic rivalries, the Tartan Army is considered among the world’s friendliest football fans, known for singing and mingling instead of brawling (even if only while their national team is playing).
—
Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
Student athletes can profit from their name, image, and likeness, but college sports still needs real rules, competitive balance, rivalries, and a true connection to education.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
But few rivalries saw both teams producing record numbers at the same time.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Within those ranks, intense rivalries developed.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
These residents wander freely, interact with one another and the environment, form friendships, spark rivalries, confess love, marry and even have children.
—Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 24 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
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
Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
Student athletes can profit from their name, image, and likeness, but college sports still needs real rules, competitive balance, rivalries, and a true connection to education.
—Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
But few rivalries saw both teams producing record numbers at the same time.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Within those ranks, intense rivalries developed.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
These residents wander freely, interact with one another and the environment, form friendships, spark rivalries, confess love, marry and even have children.
—Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 24 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalries
Noun
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Staal’s still elite at winning defensive zone puck battles, which helps tee up Ehlers to play to his strengths and gives the Canes an all-three-zone impact in their minutes that has added up to a 66 percent xG rate.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Calvert shares similar views and has survived an ethics complaint and two previous redistricting battles during his 33 years in Congress.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The chain of islands has become critical to Japan’s defense in the event of armed conflicts between China and Taiwan.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
During a Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority meeting in March, that officer, Eric Osnes, said his team now studies footage of assaults on drivers to learn lessons that may mitigate future conflicts.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
After multiple struggles, the music icon says in the teaser for his new interview with Good Morning America's Chris Connelly that his health has improved.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
-
The father of three also spoke about the struggles many parents face while advocating for their children with autism.—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Strength in duels – ground and aerial.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
LaBonta completed 23 of 29 passes from the middle of the park, put in four tackles, made two interceptions and two ball recoveries, and won five of her eight duels with players, all while avoiding committing a single foul.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Multiple reports had been filed against Chow after other confrontations with customers, officials previously said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
The confrontations result in wild, libidinous killing.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Pressure is a privilege and, in our case, the players took those competitions seriously.—
Zach McMahon,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
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The 23-year-old has performed when called upon in the cup competitions and was expected, before Donnarumma’s sudden arrival, to compete to be a starting Premier League goalkeeper.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Nowhere is this reconciliation more evident than in the enduring contentions surrounding France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia, also known as Kanak by its native community.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Madonna has made music through various calamities that at the time felt world-ending — wars, political unrest, financial collapse — so the terrors of 2026 don’t seem to faze her.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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The secret ingredient in sweets, sodas and cosmetics is entangled in one of the world’s deadliest and least-noticed wars.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivalries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalries. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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