as in competition
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
The news hit Fletcher hard, coming days before Miami’s annual rivalry game against Florida State last season.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Always an anticipated battle, this rivalry match started off with fireworks 58 seconds into play when Natick junior Chris Albert picked off Wellesley standout quarterback Bobby Shanahan to give his team possession.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
The Dodgers-Giants rivalry crossed the continent and continues today.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
Given the transformative shifts in the energy landscape, the retreat of globalization, and the return of great-power rivalry, the opportunities for countries to use energy as a means to gain influence or achieve foreign policy goals are intensifying and go well beyond oil.
—Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Always an anticipated battle, this rivalry match started off with fireworks 58 seconds into play when Natick junior Chris Albert picked off Wellesley standout quarterback Bobby Shanahan to give his team possession.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
The Dodgers-Giants rivalry crossed the continent and continues today.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
Given the transformative shifts in the energy landscape, the retreat of globalization, and the return of great-power rivalry, the opportunities for countries to use energy as a means to gain influence or achieve foreign policy goals are intensifying and go well beyond oil.
—Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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Only a few months ago Salah was deservedly collecting a stack of individual awards after a remarkable campaign which yielded 57 goal involvements (34 goals, 23 assists) in all competitions.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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The Courier Journal caught up with Zipperle to find out why Cornbread Hemp took home the New Ideas Award in the 2025 Top Workplaces competition.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Lima, Peru Reuters — Peru’s President Jose Jeri declared on Tuesday a 30-day state of emergency in the capital Lima and the neighboring province of Callao, saying the move was to battle rising crime.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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Hubbard has a track record of moving the chains effectively, which was necessary in a game that was going to be mostly a defensive battle.—
Mike Kaye
October 21,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As the display came to a close, many fans expected to head back into the sixth inning of an intense 1-1 pitchers' duel.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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In the first half, England won just 50 per cent of their duels; Brazil won 80 per cent.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Stephens said there were signs of a struggle, and Thomas' body had been dragged about 180 feet into the woods.—
Bill Bowden,
Arkansas Online,
24 Oct. 2025
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Passmore reflects on Shakur’s life and considers how her story highlights the broader struggles and resilience of Black activists whose work is marginalized in mainstream histories.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Raptors also played the Bucks, a 122-116 loss, with the home team bumping the game’s start time up by an hour to minimize the conflict between the two games.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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That is, some of the properties suffered damage during the war, but others were destroyed because the owners left the country during the conflict.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Gravely’s presence accompanies the USS Ford carrier strike group, which was deployed to the Caribbean last week carrying fighter jets, electronic warfare aircraft, and surveillance planes.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Narrative warfare sways public sentiment long before a bullet is fired.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, the saga unearths new layers in the second season as Natalia shares her harrowing experiences with her adoptive parents and has a face-to-face confrontation with Michael.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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No one was injured during the confrontation, police said.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Canada is looking to reset relations with China after years of contention, as Ottawa’s trade spat with Washington worsens.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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More importantly, Flacco has helped the Bengals stay in contention for the AFC North division title, something that seemed improbable when franchise QB Joe Burrow went down with an injury early in the season.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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