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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Davidson was as dynamic as ever against Wisconsin, pouring in 24 points, five rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks on a night when most of her teammates struggled to find their stride.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Every trip subjects frames, axles, and brake systems to dynamic forces and shifting loads.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The presence of Messi — who won most valuable player awards in consecutive seasons and the Golden Boot last year — remains the focus of media and competitive attention for the club.—
Jad El Reda
Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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These numbers are among several that suggest that Kansas City, which this month was chosen to be the base camp for three of the cup’s most competitive teams — Argentina, England and the Netherlands — may be in desperate need of more short-term rental hosts as game days near.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Nearly 5,000 voters will decide on seats across 136 local councils, following the UK government's recent reversal to delay the elections after an appeal by the rival Reform Party.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
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So, pencil the Padres for another winning season, while giving them a slight edge over the rival Diamondbacks and Giants in pursuit of their fifth wild-card playoff berth in seven years.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Foot traffic at restaurants, shops and mosques sharply declined, turning once-lively economic and social hubs into ghost towns, and threatening to cripple the livelihood of an entire community.—
Yahya Salem,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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The lively City Hall gala was Boston’s third official celebration since the city formally recognized the day as a holiday in 2023, and attendees marked the occasion with a range of artistic showcases and performances.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In the second half, Miami came out determined to push LAFC back into its own territory by advancing its lines and looking to support Germán Berterame.—
Jad El Reda
Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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Despite having already seen Church twice in concert, Oberheim was still determined to make an effort to see him.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalrous. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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