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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Recent Examples of tug-of-war
That bill was something of a tug-of-war between business interests and more progressive groups, with the rope's flag ending up roughly in the middle.
—
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
Trump’s tug-of-war with the politically independent Fed, and namely the central bank’s top official Jerome Powell, has been a constant during his second term, as the president has argued for rate cuts to jolt the economy.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
The fair, which has a Woodstock-like feel to it, also hosts kid-friendly fun including three-legged races, water balloon basketball, tug-of-war, a DIY Memorial Day parade and more.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
For much of its second act, the movie plays like a tug-of-war between the virtuosic dynamism of Lapid’s filmmaking and the sobering reality of the humanitarian crisis at hand.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
Trump’s tug-of-war with the politically independent Fed, and namely the central bank’s top official Jerome Powell, has been a constant during his second term, as the president has argued for rate cuts to jolt the economy.
—Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
The fair, which has a Woodstock-like feel to it, also hosts kid-friendly fun including three-legged races, water balloon basketball, tug-of-war, a DIY Memorial Day parade and more.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
For much of its second act, the movie plays like a tug-of-war between the virtuosic dynamism of Lapid’s filmmaking and the sobering reality of the humanitarian crisis at hand.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war
Noun
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This is also a historic rivalry, so that's why so many people are tuning in.—
Ryan Stano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
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How can the club improve its image around the world, where international fans are less concerned with local rivalries?—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Recently, a German court quietly ended a landmark legal battle that had spanned nearly a decade.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
Fires and recovery Crews battle fire burning in Pala, evacuations underway in northern San Diego County.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Noun
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The district developed some new policies after discovering COVID created not only bad habits but major struggles for families, including housing, employment and mental health, said Keith Oswald, chief of equity and wellness.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
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Goldberg emphasized the struggle to balance his warrior mentality with his body's current limitations, especially during Muay Thai training.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Noun
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For Case, the Welsh race in mid-May was her first big competition since the summer of 2022: the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run in Colorado.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
30 May 2025
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The Diamond League was the premier series of competition in the sport for a long time and still holds that title due to its longevity and structure.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Above, a curious duel unfolded: a seagull clashing mid-air with a hovering drone.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, but Ureña won a nine-pitch duel with Jeff McNeil, striking out the second baseman with a 97-mph sinker, and Smith picked off Marte at third to complete a rare home-to-third, strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
Noun
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An increase in the drone supply—in addition to their effectiveness in combat operations—is reflective of a strategic adaptation by NATO to new forms of warfare that increasingly rely on unmanned systems.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
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The immediate incentive for our nation to enter that war was the declaration by Germany of unrestricted submarine warfare.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Killer of Killers follows three warriors from different periods in history set against different Predator variants, using the tools of their time to take them on before a larger-scale conflict that will merge all the stories.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Several swaps have previously taken place between the two sides despite the ongoing conflict.—
Todd Symons,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
Noun
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The tense confrontation was the latest flashpoint between the Trump administration and Chicago over immigration policies — a potentially ominous sign for what’s ahead for the nation’s third-largest city, which has long been in the president’s crosshairs.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
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In the ensuing violent confrontation, her son is killed.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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