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 Kuok said members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are invoking international law as a way to defend their interests without taking sides in the rivalry between Washington and Beijing. — Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2026 Their local rivalry might have continued if not for Russia launching its invasion of Ukraine and changing the trajectories of both their lives. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026 The rivalry football game, which took place at the city’s 71,000-seat Legion Field, is an eight-decade tradition between the historically Black universities. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026 The venue might have changed, but the 27-8 final margin looked the same as the rivalry has gone since his first season at UGA in 2016. — Jeff Sentell, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rivalry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry

Noun

In the team competition, Granada Hills edged Palisades by one stroke, 416-417, to end the Dolphins’ five-year reign, which was one short of the City record set by Granada Hills from 2001-06 and equaled by the Highlanders from 2011-16.

— Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
The only worthy competition, so far, is Adults, a zanier, higher-energy show in the tradition of Broad City and Happy Endings—and one that gained some depth in this year’s great second season.

— Judy Berman, Time, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

The letter was shared as Haitian police and foreign forces continue to battle gangs, with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announcing on X late Friday that a gang leader was killed, without identifying him.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
The attention surfaced new accusations of misconduct against sitting members and thrust a spotlight onto others that were part of ongoing legal battles.

— Anna Liss-Roy, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

The pair had previously engaged in a quarterback duel that lasted well into fall camp, so Florida remained confident in its backup.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Her biggest liberty is a duel between Herbert Nordrum’s Colonel Brandon and Frank Dillane’s John Willoughby, which Austen mentions but keeps offstage.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is going to start calling plays from the booth instead of the sideline amid his unit’s tremendous struggles.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Alternative data creates opportunities to assess people whom traditional scoring struggles to understand, but those opportunities come with responsibility.

— Artem Lalaiants, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has also warned that Iran would retaliate if Washington reignited the conflict.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Its cost was recovered after just one month of conflict, according to people familiar with the matter.

— Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

This adds another layer of automation to expeditionary mine warfare operations.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Attrition declined sharply during the later training stages, with 5% during the second phase, which emphasizes combat diving, and 3% during the third phase, which focuses on land warfare.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of warfare

Noun

Whether those negotiations can prevent another major confrontation remains unclear.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
The designation could expose individuals accused of working with MI6 to prosecution under Iranian law and heighten the risk of military confrontation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of confrontation

Noun

Both candidates won their primaries in landslides, but Tuberville’s involved some contention.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
The rapid development of data centers throughout Pennsylvania communities has also been a topic of contention among voters and political candidates ahead of Election Day.

— Mike Darnay, CBS News, 3 Nov. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of rivalry

noun

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