as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the effort to get their teenage son to keep his room clean is a constant tug-of-war
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tug-of-war
In astrology, squares create tension in order to push us into action, but this particular square could feel like a tug-of-war between what feels safe and what is meant to transform in your life.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Maul and Devon's relationship is an entertaining tug-of-war; Lawson is a caf-loving lawman best described as well-meaning, but out of his element; and the inevitable arrival of Imperial forces (including two Inquisitors) quickly threatens disaster for both sides.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Stubborn Venus in your visible 10th house argues with intense Pluto in your 7th House of Alliances, spotlighting a tug-of-war between public praise and private promises.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Camp time culminates in a team competition, where groups face off in a head-to-head series of tug-of-war battles, relays and other physical challenges — all in a quest for ultimate bragging rights.
—Robin Roenker, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Maul and Devon's relationship is an entertaining tug-of-war; Lawson is a caf-loving lawman best described as well-meaning, but out of his element; and the inevitable arrival of Imperial forces (including two Inquisitors) quickly threatens disaster for both sides.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Stubborn Venus in your visible 10th house argues with intense Pluto in your 7th House of Alliances, spotlighting a tug-of-war between public praise and private promises.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Camp time culminates in a team competition, where groups face off in a head-to-head series of tug-of-war battles, relays and other physical challenges — all in a quest for ultimate bragging rights.
—Robin Roenker, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war
Noun
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But their rivalry continued as Zayn got back at Williams by dressing up as the gingerbread man and attacking the champion.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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While the Irish and Trojans will miss each other on the field, the rivalry has now turned sibling style with the younger Tuihalamaka picking the Trojans.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Noun
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The project is particularly acrimonious, drawing out geographical battles between north and south and thorny fights between officials who want to build the tunnel and environmentalists and Delta residents seeking to protect the local ecosystem and their way of life.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Without losing a man or a ship, Dewey’s squadron destroyed the Spanish fleet in the first American naval battle against a foreign power in almost five decades.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
In contrast to his offensive struggles, Ohtani has been dominant on the mound.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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But what was more surprising Monday night were Embiid’s struggles in his Sixers’ 137-98 loss to the Knicks.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Noun
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Friendly competition is part of the fuel for starter Davis Martin.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
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The concept of everyone coming together for one evening — and pausing their competition for the good of the overall TV business — had some legs.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
7 May 2026
Noun
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On Friday, a pitchers’ duel was ruined by a circus act of an inning, and the Cardinals beat the Padres 6-0.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Game 1 on Thursday at Byron Nelson High School was a pitchers duel won by the Bobcats 3-2.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 May 2026
Noun
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The terrorist group has been largely decapitated and is unable to wage meaningful counter-warfare against Israel and its allies, but is believed to still boast significant caches of weaponry that could threaten the long-term peace of the future Palestine.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
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The country’s ability to credibly threaten commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz actually hinges on multiple layers of cheap and unconventional warfare systems – drones, mines and a fleet of small attack boats, which are harder to detect than traditional naval assets.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
But, though the guns of war were a decade in the past, the nation had not escaped the spectre of conflict.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Under previous administrations, including President Barack Obama’s, immigration laws were enforced without this kind of performative conflict.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
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When the dispute moved to the parking lot, witnesses said Hearne threw the first punch, and videos circulating online appeared to show the confrontation.—
JJ Velasquez,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 May 2026
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Two Montrose Police Department officers shot an armed man in a confrontation Saturday afternoon, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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