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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
This great rivalry has just renewed and feels like seven.
—
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy both joined the navy, aware that fine military records would support their political aspirations; the relationship between the two men, moving from mutual respect to bitter rivalry, is one of the book’s stronger story lines.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Now, a new adventure dawns for the duo when their summer road trip takes an unexpected detour, landing them in the middle of yet another monster rivalry: Daywalkers vs. Vampires.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
The Spirit and Pride’s rivalry is quickly becoming one of the most compelling matchups in the league.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy both joined the navy, aware that fine military records would support their political aspirations; the relationship between the two men, moving from mutual respect to bitter rivalry, is one of the book’s stronger story lines.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Now, a new adventure dawns for the duo when their summer road trip takes an unexpected detour, landing them in the middle of yet another monster rivalry: Daywalkers vs. Vampires.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
The Spirit and Pride’s rivalry is quickly becoming one of the most compelling matchups in the league.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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This year, there's little other competition for NFL-ready quarterbacks.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2025
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Most importantly, this competition is not ideological.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In short, Saturday's clash will bring to a head a battle between two families, two fighters caught in a war started by their fathers, and Eubank won't even have his by his side as they are still estranged.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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Francis died Monday at 88 years old following a life-threatening battle with respiratory ailments.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The show is partially set before the events of Revenge of the Sith, which ends with Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader after being severely injured in a lightsaber duel with Obi-Wan.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2025
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The 36-year-old deGrom, who also remains in that conversation even on the backside of his career, was almost as good in Friday’s pitcher’s duel.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Since then Hutchinson has maintained that the murders were committed by two home invaders and that the family was killed in a struggle.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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The Tower is not always an omen of hardship and struggle.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Throughout the first fifteen months of the conflict, Israel’s behavior, specifically in refusing to allow sufficient amounts of aid into Gaza, drew international condemnation.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
2 May 2025
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The state is embroiled in its own internal conflict with residents too.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
Noun
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The idea is that these nodes can be quickly deployed where required by AUVs like Anduril's Dive-XL and then carry out surveillance and reconnaissance for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Apr. 2025
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The group responded with the escalation of drone and missile warfare against the U.S. and Israel.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The confrontation between Antetokounmpo and Haliburton’s dad overshadowed what was a thrilling game on Tuesday.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
30 Apr. 2025
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The confrontation occurred near North Waziristan, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, along the volatile Afghan border.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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After a brutal start to the season on the long February and March road trips against top-level competition, and despite a slew of injuries, the Huskies have put their season back together up north and played their way back into Big East and NCAA Tournament contention.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
23 Apr. 2025
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The eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes eliminated the Longhorns from playoff contention in January.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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