Synonyms of rivals

rivals 1 of 2

noun

plural of rival

1

as in counterparts

one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value

a design that is a rival to any produced by a professional graphic artist

Synonyms & Similar Words

• counterparts
• equivalents
• partners
• colleagues
• peers
• competitors
• fellows
• likes
• equals
• coordinates
• parallels
• compeers
• matches
• companions
• coequals
• associates
• analogues
• twins
• mates
• halves
• doubles
• copartners

2

as in opponents

one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict

the boxer's toughest rival thus far

Synonyms & Similar Words

• opponents
• foes
• competitors
• adversaries
• contestants
• antagonists
• enemies
• matches
• equals
• attackers
• combatants
• archenemies
• nemeses
• invaders
• assailants
• curses
• bêtes noires
• banes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partners
• allies
• supporters
• accomplices
• proponents
• advocates
• champions
• confederates
• exponents
• sympathizers

3

as in competitors

one who strives for the same thing as another

the four cities that are the top rivals for the site of the next Olympic Games

Synonyms & Similar Words

• competitors
• contenders
• contestants
• challengers
• competitions
• finalists
• archrivals
• corrivals
• players
• opponents
• entrants
• adversaries
• entries
• antagonists
• semifinalists
• also-rans

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• noncompetitors

rivals

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rival

as in competes

to engage in a contest

two longtime friends who have rivaled for the same things at every stage of their lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

• competes
• races
• contends
• fights
• battles
• vies
• challenges
• faces off
• maneuvers
• plays
• engages
• jockeys
• jostles
• works
• goes out
• trains
• tries out

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rivals

Noun

The summit on Chinese soil offers Xi a powerful image to broadcast worldwide, demonstrating an emergent superpower can bring together the leaders of two historic rivals in the name of peace. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2026

Lewis, a 6-foot-7 senior who played his first two seasons at Toledo, scored a career-high 28 points on 12-of-16 shooting for the Cavaliers (5-0), who have won four straight and 10 of 11 against their former Atlantic Coast Conference rivals. — ABC News, 14 Nov. 2026

Stone Fish agreed, saying there are likely similar tactics being employed on Japanese, Korean and European targets – and that Chinese companies will even use honeypot tactics on other domestic rivals in corporate espionage. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2026

The market's initial take is that Nvidia's rivals have an opening to capture chip sales while Nvidia undergoes a leadership transition and conducts an internal investigation of Huang's activities. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2026

Most of Emirates’ rivals have yet to come back; still, British Airways this week resumed its London-Dubai route, returning for the first time since the war began. — semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026

As Democrats blew away their Republican rivals in an unprecedented midterm sweep Tuesday, the Make America Health Again movement also got bowled over, raising questions about the fate of the motley movement. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026

Over recent months, several production sources have enthusiastically talked to Deadline about how the plethora of services has improved the unscripted sector, so what does Jain think of his rivals? — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

Verb

Though his younger brother Rudy (Kai Parham) is eager to welcome his roommate and best friend back into the fold, and Odessa’s dinner spread rivals any Thanksgiving feast, the Clay household is not without its cracks and dark shadows. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026

Polling in Kansas governor’s race Pollsters, political forecasters and prediction markets have spent months setting expectations for the race between longtime Kansas Senate rivals Ty Masterson and Cindy Holscher. — Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

The serious injury cast a pall over the Detroit locker room on Sunday as players cut short their celebration of a dramatic 19-15 victory over division rivals the Minnesota Vikings. — David K. Li, NBC news, 2 Nov. 2026

Families earning more than roughly $116,000 a year for a household of four generally don’t qualify for those subsidies, leaving middle-income families to shoulder the full cost of child care, even as monthly tuition rivals a mortgage payment. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

This is the second meeting between these division rivals this season, with Cleveland winning a 27-24 thriller in Week 4. — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

In 2024, the national average price of childcare was US$13,128 annually, which rivals housing as the most expensive item in family budgets. — Caitlyn Collins, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026

Now Nelson and Buckner will have a chance to square off as NFC West rivals when the 49ers host the Seahawks in Week 12. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

And though a teenaged Lauper flunked out of Fashion Industries, her substantial impact on fashion since then nearly rivals her enormous influence on music. — Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026