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
Amid a tug-of-war over how the rules should be amended, the potential framework that emerged early last week demonstrated that there was likely a path out of the gridlock.
—
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Wake follows four semi-estranged siblings who reunite for their father’s wake, only to clash with his overbearing side of the family in a tug-of-war over how to say goodbye.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
The rules have been subject to a regulatory and legal tug-of-war.
—Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 23 Aug. 2025
After alerting a group of enemies, bullets or simple blows fully knock Snake down into a prone position which often results in a tug-of-war trying to stand on two foot while being repeatedly knocked down.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Wake follows four semi-estranged siblings who reunite for their father’s wake, only to clash with his overbearing side of the family in a tug-of-war over how to say goodbye.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
The rules have been subject to a regulatory and legal tug-of-war.
—Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 23 Aug. 2025
After alerting a group of enemies, bullets or simple blows fully knock Snake down into a prone position which often results in a tug-of-war trying to stand on two foot while being repeatedly knocked down.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war
Noun
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Those games include matchups versus the NFC North, AFC North divisional rivalry games versus the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers as well as a late season road showdown against the Buffalo Bills.—
Kambui Bomani,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The Studio beat The Bear for the most wins for a comedy series in a single year, while The Pitt reigned supreme in its rivalry with Severance and Britt Lower pulled an upset in Lead Actress in a Drama over Kathy Bates.—
Vulture Staff,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Republicans were unfazed by Democrats threatening to withhold their votes, accusing them of hypocrisy for condemning GOP efforts to win policy concessions in past funding battles.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The iconic items fit well in this book given how many Avengers don’t feel complete without a gadget or mystical item to carry into battle.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The combination of strange comments, a clear lack of education and experience, and a disturbing personal history with mental health struggles and domestic problems doomed his campaign.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Appreciation means valuing the struggle of learning, not despite its difficulty but because of it.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The fourth season will be played from June 18-July 18, 2026, the preferred slot in the calendar for MLC with not much competition from other domestic leagues.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The number of local homes put up for sale soared, boosting competition among sellers.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The side two divisions above are better in every respect, most noticeably in one-against-one duels out wide.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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Their duel is brutal and operatic, the culmination of years of tension between Cleonic brothers.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At least one Ukrainian drone has also crashed in Estonia, which Tallinn said was sent off course by Russian electronic warfare measures.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
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Denmark will put forward two F-16 fighter jets and an anti-air warfare frigate, while France will contribute three Rafale jets and Germany four Eurofighters, the alliance said in a press release.—
Robert Birsel
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Israel has also bombed Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Yemen in the course of the Gaza conflict.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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If both polls and discussions with my friends are anything to go by, Americans feel forever locked in a state of political conflict.—
Sarah Stein Lubrano,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Direct confrontation during an emotional high can intensify instability.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Camarillo, the Standard professor, argued that the confrontations highlight how enforcement priorities have shifted.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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