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 mix of old and new aims to blend nostalgia with Miami’s new culinary identity, which has become far more dynamic since China Grill first opened on South Beach, Chodorow said.—
Connie Ogle
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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But this sedan is geared for comfort and never feels confident in spirited, dynamic situations.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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When asked directly by The Tennessean, Johnson did not respond on whether the administration will commit to a competitive bid, or if a vendor may already be selected behind the scenes.—
Vivian Jones,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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These providers have made a name for themselves by delivering dependable service and competitive rates.—
Kara McGinley,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Those ticket sales were above estimates of $35 million, though below the $50 million that rival studios argue a film of this scale should earn in its debut to justify its price tag.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
14 June 2026
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Russell was overtaken by his Mercedes teammate and rival Kimi Antonelli in the late stages of the competition, after having battled for much of the race.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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The ranch saloon sits across from the open yard—and around the corner and up a hill of long yellow grass is the outdoor rodeo arena, home to lively summer rodeos every week in the summer season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
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Baltimore is best known for its maritime history and lively harbor, with plenty to see and do, from the National Aquarium to the cobblestone streets and waterfront views of Fell's Point.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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The pound-for-pound star walked through a determined Antonio Vargas en route to a sixth-round, one-punch KO to become a three-division champion on Saturday night in Glendale, Arizona.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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Touring the campus on an early-autumn morning with Crowley and the university’s biodiversity officer, Abhishek Dixit, I was struck by the earthy overgrowth of the school grounds, which nature appeared determined to reclaim.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalrous. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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