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
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
Instead, Civil War focuses intently on the knotty dynamic (sometimes familial, sometimes patently rivalrous) between Jessie and Lee—an ambitious, possibly opportunistic up-and-comer and the haunted professional who’s seen it all—and the role of journalists in a society on the brink of collapse.
—Elaina Patton, Vogue, 12 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
See All Example Sentences for rivalrous
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
Instead, Civil War focuses intently on the knotty dynamic (sometimes familial, sometimes patently rivalrous) between Jessie and Lee—an ambitious, possibly opportunistic up-and-comer and the haunted professional who’s seen it all—and the role of journalists in a society on the brink of collapse.
—Elaina Patton, Vogue, 12 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
See All Example Sentences for rivalrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalrous
Adjective
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Tourists are still enjoying Michigan's lineup of dynamic fall events amid Apple Month and Michigan Agritourism Month this October and are flexible to changing fall color patterns, said Nick Nerbonne, media and digital director for Travel Michigan.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Best Mixed Use Magnet Toy The magic of Magna-Tiles meets the thrill of racing with this dynamic expansion pack.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some categories are far more competitive than others.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
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At the very moment predictable frameworks are becoming a competitive asset, Europe risks signalling drift.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Another lawsuit accused rival chatbot Character.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
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In public, Mark Kerr speaks amiably about his trainer turned rival and even takes him along for a rowdy impromptu meet-and-greet, but the lack of friction comes off less as a sign of his unflappability than of Safdie’s indifference to probing a friendship beyond buddy-comedy depth.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Throughout an offseason devoted to expansive training, that spirit was on full display — including during the lively knockout games at Prentiss’ gym.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Discussions about the fast-changing international TV distribution market are ten-a-penny at industry conferences, but the group made a lively and worthwhile contribution to the pantheon.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Carman is determined to keep expanding her work and wants every first responder to have access to a therapy dog.—
Kathleen Toner,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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The vehicle will primarily drive pre-determined routes, act as a visual crime deterrent and display key messages to the community from its windows.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalrous. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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