as in dynamic
having or marked by a strong desire to win or be better than others
The two siblings shared a rivalrous but ultimately loving relationship.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalrous
This Trump Doctrine emphasizes using American power aggressively — more aggressively than Trump’s immediate predecessors — to reshape key relationships and accrue U.S. advantage in a rivalrous world.
—
Hal Brands, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
The sisters were long involved in a rivalrous feud.
—Lydia Price, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
In Trump’s first term, that insight helped the United States begin a messy adjustment to the realities of a rivalrous age.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Ricardo divided society into three rivalrous classes—landlords, capitalists, and workers—and showed how the landlords were able to take the lion’s share of the economic surplus by virtue of owning, and charging rent on, a scarce and valuable resource: land.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rivalrous
Hal Brands, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025
The sisters were long involved in a rivalrous feud.
—Lydia Price, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
In Trump’s first term, that insight helped the United States begin a messy adjustment to the realities of a rivalrous age.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Ricardo divided society into three rivalrous classes—landlords, capitalists, and workers—and showed how the landlords were able to take the lion’s share of the economic surplus by virtue of owning, and charging rent on, a scarce and valuable resource: land.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rivalrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalrous
Adjective
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The 2019 Kennedy Center honoree, a protege of the late Leonard Bernstein, was a gifted pianist known for his exuberant compositions and ability to break down musical genres, and in particular, his dynamic interpretations of Gustav Mahler.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Nowhere is that dynamic more legible than in the figure of podcaster Theo Von.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Republicans punching above their weight Republican candidates, meanwhile, are remaining competitive despite far lower spending.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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That said, Chelsea did remain competitive and relatively organised, certainly more so than in many of the other games this season in which they have been reduced to 10 men.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Bringas is bound for Westmont College and Feuer is headed to Point Loma Nazarene — rival NCAA Division II programs in the Pacific West Conference.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The first two were part of the NHL’s Stadium Series, first at Coors Field in 2016 against the rival Red Wings and next at Air Force’s Falcon Stadium in 2020 against the Kings.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The lively, spirited daughter of an Afghani immigrant family chafes against the traditional values of her family and immigrant community.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
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Today, Salado’s historic roots blend with a lively creative scene.—
Lauren Jones,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But thanks to one very determined dog, Delp’s draft day celebration is now famous for an entirely different reason.—
Sara Vallone,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Apr. 2026
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Delp, the 22-year-old former Georgia Bulldogs tight end was selected by the New Orleans Saints on April 24 during the third round of the NFL draft, and the video of that special moment has quickly gone viral — thanks in no small part to his pup’s determined quest for a seat.—
Sara Vallone,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalrous. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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