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
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 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
See All Example Sentences for rivalrous
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 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
See All Example Sentences for rivalrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalrous
Adjective
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The store has an intimate but dynamic feel, designed to spark conversation, connection and a deeper appreciation for diverse storytelling.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
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So the references to the father-son dynamic — including several The Suicide Squad clips used as flashbacks — can feel on the silly side.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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To deliver it, the State Department will need to reassert itself, clearly define its competitive advantage over other agencies, and improve its methods of delivery.—
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
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In the passing game, the field was a lot more competitive.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The ride home That evening, the sisters drove about 500 people to the opener of the Brewers’ series against the rival Cubs, which ended with a Brewers win.—
Kylie Volavongsa,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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On a morning analyst call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav talked about pulling back on library content licensing to rival streamers to focus on HBO Max and its consumer appeal.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Its Crown Kids Club pulses with creativity—think gooey slime-making, art workshops, kids’ gymnastics, and lively Pokémon shows—plus a dedicated cinema, a LEGO playroom, a mini kitchen workshop, and a glittering Princess Spa.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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The lively multi-cultural party band Kotoko Brass plays on Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. on Guilford Green Stage One.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Its presence had long gone unnoticed — until some determined scientists visited.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
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Seven months in, the administration is determined to keep that pledge.—
Matt Alderton,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalrous. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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