TUG-OF-WAR Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

tug-of-war

noun

ˌtəg-ə(v)-ˈwȯr

Definition of tug-of-war

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

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 tug-of-war These results are fueling a tug-of-war between two sides — over who gets to control the party's message and priorities ahead of the midterm elections. — August 5, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026 But Arsenal have capitalised on this tug-of-war over his contract to put themselves in a strong position for a deal. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 These places have always been subject to imperial tugs-of-war. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 Watch for the undercard reveal, a second press conference closer to fight week, and the broadcast tug-of-war subplot — Eddie Hearn's ongoing back-and-forth with Dana White hangs over every Zuffa boxing card, and this is the biggest one yet. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war

Noun

The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry, which originated in 1892, has waned a bit in recent years as the Milwaukee Brewers have taken control of the National League Central.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
As China’s strategic rivalry with the US and its allies deepens, Beijing has broadened its anti-espionage campaign, casting suspicious eyes on foreign ties amid concerns about the leak of state secrets.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

Alex Wagner, who served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs during the Biden administration, argued recruiting has remained remarkably insulated from those political battles.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
The fight preceded the Zeus main event, which was a battle between stars from the network’s Baddies series, Tehneski and Big Lex.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

Throughout the years, Panettiere spoke openly about her struggles with addiction.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Panettiere has long been candid about her struggles navigating child stardom and fame, often opening up about her experiences with severe postpartum depression (PPD), addiction, and anxiety.

— Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

Contrast that with eventual EFL champions Coventry City (48 in 49 in all competitions) and Championship runners-up Ipswich Town (50 in 49).

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Soaring temperatures are forcing drastic measures in Europe, where successive heatwaves are straining an economy already under pressure from US tariffs, Chinese competition and higher energy prices because of the Iran war.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

The Throne Room Duel & A-Wing comes with two battle podiums, where the Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader minifigures can be placed to have an epic lightsaber duel.

— Chris McMullen, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026
And this game will be the first Border War duel in Lawrence since 2005, a Friday night game on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

— PJ Green August 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

Some have been Ukrainian drones knocked off course by Russian electronic warfare, such as the jamming of navigation signals, which can make their flight paths unpredictable and complicate decisions about whether and where to shoot them down.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
But by repeating the training scenario throughout the two-week exercise, US Army troops got better at figuring out how to disperse and hide from the drones while using countermeasures such as electronic warfare.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of warfare

Noun

The annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will kick off sooner than usual to accommodate booking conflicts with Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The film could use a few more such colorful secondary strands adjoining the main conflict, though one subplot involving a maybe-romance between two jaded journalists assigned to the summit is oddly framed and abruptly dropped.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Authorities have not identified the suspect and are continuing to investigate what led to the confrontation.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
The Mughal right wing avoided direct confrontation with the elephants and instead attacked Hemu’s troops on the sides.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

tugging

tug-of-war

tugs

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“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tug-of-war

noun

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