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rivalry

noun

ˈrī-vəl-rē How to pronounce rivalry (audio)
Definition of rivalrynext
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

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 rivalry Netanyahu and Mamdani have had a long-running and very public rivalry. — Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 The releases came within hours of each other on Tuesday, a sign of the labs’ heated rivalry, despite both companies’ recent calls for an AI slowdown. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 The rivalry between the two teams has grown especially heated in recent years. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 The idea is to hold recurring shows where audiences can become invested in individual wrestlers, rivalries and stories rather than encountering lucha only at an occasional cultural festival. — Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
  1. competition
  2. battle
  3. duel
  4. struggle
  5. conflict
  6. warfare
  7. confrontation
  8. contention
Noun
  • Bear 620 was raised with her cousin, Bear #690 (Bean), who won the Fat Bear Week Junior competition in 2022.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Washington should use commercial investment and competition to expand viable launch sites and avoid dependence on any one provider or location.
    — Mark Montgomery, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of competition
Noun
  • The sequence in which a half dozen planes battle Ghidorah in the air is grand, eye-popping filmmaking.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Now, Anthropic has lost a key battle in its fight against being designated a supply chain risk by the US government.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • And in the second half, the game turned into a duel between standout QBs each making his sixth college start.
    — PJ Green September 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Othani, who has won four MVP awards in five seasons, including one with the Los Angeles Angels, was considered the MVP front-runner most of the season, until the duel in the sun changed things.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of duel
Noun
  • Through paintings, prints, and installations, Endaya’s work examines the social struggles in her native Philippines, from gender and labor inequality to migration and globalization, to name a few.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • But his mom is sharing the family’s struggle as a warning to others.
    — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of struggle
Noun
  • The indirect talks come as the conflict, which is entering its eighth month, has caused global economic damage and badly battered Iran.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Far more famous conflicts had a bond element, even a central one, Wigglesworth found.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • Possible payloads include kinetic effects and electronic warfare equipment.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The wisdom of fully incorporating AI into warfare has already been questioned by some research.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of warfare
Noun
  • Deputies found the firearm allegedly used during the earlier confrontation inside the bedroom.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Xi linked military communication to his broader call to avoid confrontation between the two countries.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of confrontation
Noun
  • The Reds and Marlins have long been eliminated from playoff contention and will be playing for nothing more than pride this week.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Chicago was eliminated from playoff contention, but Jaquez has been a bright spot for the team all season.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of contention

Browse Nearby Words

rivalrous
rivalry
rivals
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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