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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
Despite the ferocious domestic rivalries, the Tartan Army is considered among the world’s friendliest football fans, known for singing and mingling instead of brawling (even if only while their national team is playing).
—
Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
This was the man, not the caricature that Red Wings rivalry often framed him as.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
The rivalry between the two is legendary and has been ongoing for two decades.
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
These residents wander freely, interact with one another and the environment, form friendships, spark rivalries, confess love, marry and even have children.
—Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
This was the man, not the caricature that Red Wings rivalry often framed him as.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
The rivalry between the two is legendary and has been ongoing for two decades.
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
These residents wander freely, interact with one another and the environment, form friendships, spark rivalries, confess love, marry and even have children.
—Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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Pressure is a privilege and, in our case, the players took those competitions seriously.—
Zach McMahon,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
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These high-rye bourbons are consistent gold medalists in international spirit competitions and all retail for under $50.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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On May 18, two armed teenagers entered the Islamic Center of San Diego, killing an armed security guard in a gun battle, then fatally shooting two men cornered in the parking lot, police said.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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Staal made it 2-0 a minute and change later by winning a big boy net-front battle with Josh Anderson to pound in his second of the playoffs and continue his line’s dominance over the Canadiens.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Diminutive midfielder Joao Neves has engaged in the most duels (134) of any midfielder in the Champions League this season.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
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LaBonta completed 23 of 29 passes from the middle of the park, put in four tackles, made two interceptions and two ball recoveries, and won five of her eight duels with players, all while avoiding committing a single foul.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
Noun
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The record of my thinking is right there in the open, teaching me tolerance for my fumbling, training me not to hide my struggle behind a seamless façade of digital perfection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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Last week, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office announced the jail will stop accepting most misdemeanor arrestees beginning July 1, pointing to struggles with the conditions at the jail and struggles dealing with overcrowding.—
Madeline Montgomery,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
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The conflict has become increasingly unpopular in the United States as Americans face higher prices at the pump.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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The election has also underscored two sharply diverging visions for the future of peace in a country marked by years of conflict.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
This new warfare has new heroes.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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According to military records reviewed by the Union-Tribune, Butler left the Navy as a surface warfare specialist — with multiple achievement and good conduct medals — in 2023 after serving 12 years.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Many of us had been guessing that the centerpiece shoot-out confrontation of the third season would be between Laurie and Alamo’s crews.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
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Clovis Police Department vehicles were parked in the vicinity, and multiple officers came to oversee the confrontation when the shouting began.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Few artists share her command of the spatial dimensions of narrative required to guide an addressee between points of divergence and contention.—
Erika Landström,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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According to a local Fox affiliate, the city of Dallas claims that Wyland had been asked for permission to paint over the mural, a contention that the artist disagrees with.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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