as in competition
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
Before this weekend’s game, Town manager Gavin Macpherson was playing down the rivalry.
—
Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
The Cowboys and Lamb have dominated the New York Giants, having won eight straight games in the NFC East rivalry.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2025
The Golden Hawks posted their fifth straight win in the rivalry to take a 27-26 lead in the series.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Then Arizona returns home to face floundering Oklahoma State and faces Brigham Young one week before the Cougars play their rivalry game (against Utah).
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
The Cowboys and Lamb have dominated the New York Giants, having won eight straight games in the NFC East rivalry.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2025
The Golden Hawks posted their fifth straight win in the rivalry to take a 27-26 lead in the series.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Then Arizona returns home to face floundering Oklahoma State and faces Brigham Young one week before the Cougars play their rivalry game (against Utah).
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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The fourth season will be played from June 18-July 18, 2026, the preferred slot in the calendar for MLC with not much competition from other domestic leagues.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The number of local homes put up for sale soared, boosting competition among sellers.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Republicans were unfazed by Democrats threatening to withhold their votes, accusing them of hypocrisy for condemning GOP efforts to win policy concessions in past funding battles.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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The iconic items fit well in this book given how many Avengers don’t feel complete without a gadget or mystical item to carry into battle.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The side two divisions above are better in every respect, most noticeably in one-against-one duels out wide.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Their duel is brutal and operatic, the culmination of years of tension between Cleonic brothers.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The combination of strange comments, a clear lack of education and experience, and a disturbing personal history with mental health struggles and domestic problems doomed his campaign.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Appreciation means valuing the struggle of learning, not despite its difficulty but because of it.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Israel has also bombed Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Yemen in the course of the Gaza conflict.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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If both polls and discussions with my friends are anything to go by, Americans feel forever locked in a state of political conflict.—
Sarah Stein Lubrano,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At least one Ukrainian drone has also crashed in Estonia, which Tallinn said was sent off course by Russian electronic warfare measures.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
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Denmark will put forward two F-16 fighter jets and an anti-air warfare frigate, while France will contribute three Rafale jets and Germany four Eurofighters, the alliance said in a press release.—
Robert Birsel
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Direct confrontation during an emotional high can intensify instability.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Camarillo, the Standard professor, argued that the confrontations highlight how enforcement priorities have shifted.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 24-year-old saved three set points while trailing 5-3 in the opening set and broke Jovic’s serve twice to stay in contention for the title.—
Manasi Pathak,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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That test does not come around until October 25, by which point the league will have remembered how to defend long throw-ins or Brentford will be in Champions League contention.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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