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 Baylor’s defense is also formidable, ranking 12th in scoring defense, but in these rivalry games stats and records can often be thrown out of the window. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 Daniil Medvedev is back in the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals after getting the better of Stefanos Tsitsipas in the latest chapter of their combustible longtime rivalry. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 The Rams sprinted off the field to their locker room, celebrating the rivalry win. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 13 Oct. 2026 There’s only one way the first chapter of the rivalry between the teams will end – WarGames. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rivalry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry

Noun

The five-episode doc follows Five Guys’ global competition of crew members from local qualifying rounds to the ultimate championship.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Economist Thomas Philippon calculates that weakened competition costs the typical household about $300 a month.

— Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Still, when the measles outbreak erupted, Bangladesh responded swiftly and initially seemed to be winning the battle.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Policy Policy Your guide to the Supreme Court, federal courts, judicial nominations, and the legal battles shaping American policy.

— Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

Snell opened the seventh by walking Andrew Vaughn and losing an 11-pitch duel to Bauers, who won the battle with a two-run homer.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
The anticipated pitchers' duel between Yamamoto and Henderson didn't work out according to plan.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

Hernández said the group wanted to use the platform to bring further awareness to the struggles immigrants continue to face in this country with an audience that notably skews more American than Los Tigres is accustomed to.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Hollywood executives at a panel featuring UTA, Gold House, Lionsgate and HYBE saw an opening for Asian talent and stories rooted in specific cultures, while conceding that getting projects funded is still a struggle.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

The group’s plans for the Middle East have been affected by the regional conflict, which has put some expansion activity in the region on hold.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Given that the United States keeps getting mired in errant conflicts, Congress urgently needs to reassert its constitutional obligation to approve acts of war and oversee retrenchment.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Needless to say, the system has to be robust enough to handle battlefield conditions, including electronic warfare and communications blackouts.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Electronic warfare can create additional challenges for systems that depend on wireless links.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of warfare

Noun

Last year, a Senatobia officer threatened a Black woman with a Taser, pulling her from her car and onto the ground and arresting her during a confrontation over an accessible parking space in the same Walmart lot where Kohen was shot.

— SOPHIE BATES, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
The danger is that Ethiopia’s internal fighting, its confrontation with Eritrea and regional disputes over ports and water could fuel one another.

— KHALED KAZZIHA, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of confrontation

Noun

But the bold irreverence that drew droves of devoted readers to Jezebel brought contention, too.

— Meredith Maran, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
The fourth team in World Series contention, the Tampa Bay Rays, stands just above the Guardians in payroll at 25th, with about $98 million on the books.

— Isaac Tellechea, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rivalry

noun

Example Sentences

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