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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rivalrous
The translation into Hindi inevitably fails; instead, two fabulously different, almost rivalrous texts sit next to each other.
—
James Wood, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The fan-favorite wrestling drama that paired Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig as rivalrous bros went peering off a cliff less than two months ago before its unceremonious cancellation.
—Starz Turns Heels, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2023
The rivalrous power dynamic between Jones and frontman Jagger is captured in brilliant subtlety in the glances between them during an impromptu interview.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Nov. 2023
A little more than a year ago, Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari and Louisville men’s basketball coach Chris Mack were publicly exchanging rivalrous barbs ahead of the 2020-21 season, a season which saw the Cardinals defeat the Wildcats.
—Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, 28 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for rivalrous
James Wood, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The fan-favorite wrestling drama that paired Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig as rivalrous bros went peering off a cliff less than two months ago before its unceremonious cancellation.
—Starz Turns Heels, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2023
The rivalrous power dynamic between Jones and frontman Jagger is captured in brilliant subtlety in the glances between them during an impromptu interview.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Nov. 2023
A little more than a year ago, Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari and Louisville men’s basketball coach Chris Mack were publicly exchanging rivalrous barbs ahead of the 2020-21 season, a season which saw the Cardinals defeat the Wildcats.
—Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, 28 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for rivalrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalrous
Adjective
-
Our goal is to provide this safe, dynamic space for after-school socialization and group hangouts.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
More than a global trade show, JCK is also a dynamic seminar site programmed with JCK Talks educational panel discussions and presentations delivered by experts from various jewelry industry realms-- and countries.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
But McCarthy is a year removed from competitive football, begging the question of what will the Vikings get exactly from the quarterback position.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
-
Instead, under Trump, the United States is creating new gaps for China to exploit by withdrawing from international institutions and undermining U.S. competitive advantages, such as its global network of alliances and partnerships and its robust domestic research and innovation base.—
Oriana Skylar Mastro,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
After its 2023 merger with rival Total Access Communications, True is now the country’s largest mobile operator with nearly 49 million subscribers.—
Phisanu Phromchanya,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Lawyers for the states that sued said the alliance ended competition between rival airlines in highly concentrated markets where each had a substantial presence.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The small but lively crowd of 14,312 at the Rose Bowl gasped in disbelief as Deossa and his teammates celebrated what instantly became a contender for the goal of the tournament — only to be possibly upstaged by his fellow midfielder Corona nine minutes later.—
Austin Green,
New York Times,
25 June 2025
-
For much of the day New Haven Green was filled with a Juneteenth Village and Marketplace, including loud and lively hip-hop acts.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Ter Stegen is determined to stay at Barca, where he is settled on a personal level and ready to challenge for the No 1 spot.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
-
That legislation collapsed when then-Sen. John McCain famously cast a thumbs-down vote. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is determined to avoid that outcome, sticking to the schedule and pressing ahead with voting expected by the end of the week.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalrous. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share