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
Following a division in season guarantees drama and the playoffs, and the AFC North — with the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns — showcases bitter rivalries that make for good TV.
—
Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have one of the bitterest rivalries in all of sports.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Of course, some people thrive on rivalries with others—think Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, or Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 2 Jan. 2025
Led by Kohan, the documentary enters the villages and homes of the communities, revealing deep-rooted rivalries that have defined the relationship between the tribes for generations.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2024
Within the sport, KTM has been a fierce competitor, with ongoing rivalries against legendary teams like Ducati and Aprilia.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Dallas Cowboys in a 41-7 victory at home, putting more fuel on the fire for one of the oldest rivalries in the National Football League.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
The world is undergoing a series of profound geopolitical shifts marked by rising tensions, strategic rivalries, and democratic backsliding.
—Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
One of the sport’s oldest and fiercest rivalries renews Sunday, with the 12-3 Philadelphia Eagles playing home favorites to the 7-8 Dallas Cowboys.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have one of the bitterest rivalries in all of sports.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Of course, some people thrive on rivalries with others—think Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, or Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 2 Jan. 2025
Led by Kohan, the documentary enters the villages and homes of the communities, revealing deep-rooted rivalries that have defined the relationship between the tribes for generations.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2024
Within the sport, KTM has been a fierce competitor, with ongoing rivalries against legendary teams like Ducati and Aprilia.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Dallas Cowboys in a 41-7 victory at home, putting more fuel on the fire for one of the oldest rivalries in the National Football League.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
The world is undergoing a series of profound geopolitical shifts marked by rising tensions, strategic rivalries, and democratic backsliding.
—Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
One of the sport’s oldest and fiercest rivalries renews Sunday, with the 12-3 Philadelphia Eagles playing home favorites to the 7-8 Dallas Cowboys.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalries
Noun
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There were a couple of confrontations when the game got heated in the fourth quarter, but the Kings wouldn’t back down.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
4 Jan. 2025
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Israel says most of these are militants, but youths throwing stones and people not involved in confrontations have also been killed.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2025
Noun
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With 11 goals and three assists across 23 appearances in all competitions, Diaz is thriving up front under Arne Slot and was the star player in a stunning 6-3 victory at Tottenham Hotspur.—
Gregg Evans,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
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Indeed, Pep Guardiola’s team have won just one of their last 12 fixtures in all competitions with Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa dropping the defending Premier League champions down to seventh in the table, notably below Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Rivalries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalries. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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