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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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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Winona Fighter quickly made a name for itself with its dynamic live shows and DIY spirit, which attract large crowds and have drawn the attention of the Summer School founders.—
Charlie Vargas,
Daily News,
4 June 2026
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Around him, Porte’s drums and Martyn’s synths and effects drift and glide; the repetitive structure is reminiscent of club music, but the perpetual slippage signals more dynamic ways of moving.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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And while the club has remained competitive for much of the year so far, several key hitters have endured slumps that aren’t helping the lineup meet expectations.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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Republicans have already begun deploying that argument against Democratic candidates in some of the country’s most competitive races.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Last season, rival Iowa and first-year head coach Ben McCollum punched its ticket to the NCAA tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
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Montagliani also spoke in Vancouver, and his speech sounded like the start of a rival campaign.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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Food and drink The lobby lounge always seems to have a coffee and cocktail menu at hand, and that’s why the area stays lively from morning to night.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Also enjoy tours of the Nectar Garden, lively puppet shows, special presentations about pollinators, family-friendly nature crafts and live music.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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But is this really a viable check on a determined president willing to fire and replace anyone standing in his or her way?—
Steven Andreasen,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
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Despite these obstacles, single women are determined to achieve their goal of homeownership and continue to be a driving force in the market.—
Kathy Collins,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalrous. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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