RIVALRY Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

rivalry

noun

ˈrī-vəl-rē

Definition of rivalry

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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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 Some stories can seem animated by opposition, by rivalry and conflict. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026 Trucks were held up in hours of queues in 2021 when Saudi Arabia imposed new restrictions on imports from the UAE, as relations between the leaders of the two countries deteriorated over a dispute about oil production and rising economic rivalry. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 July 2026 The relationship between France and Morocco, however, is not defined by sporting rivalry. — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 9 July 2026 But Blue Origin branching out also ramps up the the two-decades-long Bezos-Musk rivalry further away from a mere billionaire duel and into a capital-heavy race for space dominance that institutional investors can help fund. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rivalry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry

Noun

There are more moments to come, with SoFi Stadium slated to host Super Bowl LXI in February and then, in 2028, to stage the Olympic Opening Ceremony and the Olympic swimming competition.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
He was appointed for that competition’s 2022 final, having taken charge of the Europa League final a year earlier.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 6 July 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

Gabriel and Haaland are key men for their countries, too; whoever shades their personal duel will have a great chance of finishing on the winning team.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026
As with many Latin American and African teams, Paraguay defend deep and are extremely physical in duels and aerial battles.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

Clifford was impressed with Acuff’s ability to play through his early struggles.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
Older students and professionals face an existential struggle to find a job, according to Yahya Alhamarna, a 24-year-old author displaced in Gaza City.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

The conflict has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced some 13 million and pushed many parts of Sudan into famine.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
After more than four years of war between Russia and Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a rare admission that the conflict has caused his country a problem.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 7 July 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Both Russian and Ukrainian forces employ thousands of drones for reconnaissance, strike missions, electronic warfare, and logistics.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Italy and Poland cracked down on alleged spying by Russia, moves that come as analysts warned that the Kremlin may be looking to expand its use of hybrid warfare as its battlefield efforts in Ukraine stall.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of warfare

Noun

Multiple replay challenges, a pivotal plate tag and a brief benches-clearing confrontation highlighted the drama as the Dodgers became the first team to 60 wins.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
The prosecutor argued that Styles’ death was more than a confrontation.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of confrontation

Noun

This contradiction is a cause for contention in much of Western Europe.

— Katharina Buchholz, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Miles eventually gets pulled into the local chapter of the Jeremiah Wylkes Society, whose mission is to investigate its 19th-century namesake’s contention that there is a hidden entrance to a spectacular underworld nearby.

— Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026

Definition of contention

Browse Nearby Words

rivalrous

rivalry

rivals

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“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of rivalry

noun

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