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tug-of-war

noun

ˌtəg-ə(v)-ˈwȯr How to pronounce tug-of-war (audio)
Definition of tug-of-warnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Corbin was about to drag it back into the ring before Yachty started a tug-of-war for the belt. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 Malick Fofana The drama might have largely passed Fofana himself by, but the tug-of-war for the forward’s signature was one of the sagas of deadline day. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Still, their emotionally ruinous tug-of-war goes on for so many rounds that the movie limps toward the end credits exhausted. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 The remaining Eagles stopped caring about the tug-of-war between art and commerce; for the next five decades, money ruled. — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war
  1. rivalry
  2. battle
  3. struggle
  4. competition
  5. duel
  6. warfare
  7. conflict
  8. confrontation
Noun
  • These sensual glimmers are no match for the antagonistic sociality of straight male relationships, which, in this novel, quickly convert sympathy or desire into rivalry and aggression.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • This season and the last marked the first time in the 112-game series that the rivalry game took place in Oxford in back-to-back years.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of rivalry
Noun
  • The sequence in which a half dozen planes battle Ghidorah in the air is grand, eye-popping filmmaking.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Now, Anthropic has lost a key battle in its fight against being designated a supply chain risk by the US government.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • Through paintings, prints, and installations, Endaya’s work examines the social struggles in her native Philippines, from gender and labor inequality to migration and globalization, to name a few.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • But his mom is sharing the family’s struggle as a warning to others.
    — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of struggle
Noun
  • Bear 620 was raised with her cousin, Bear #690 (Bean), who won the Fat Bear Week Junior competition in 2022.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Washington should use commercial investment and competition to expand viable launch sites and avoid dependence on any one provider or location.
    — Mark Montgomery, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of competition
Noun
  • The fans in Auburn, Alabama, came out, leaning from ramps and peeking from tents to catch a glimpse of their new administrations, each in their first SEC duel of the year.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Mahomes and Travis Kelce this season are set to appear in at least 10 national windows, including the inevitable duel with Allen and the Bills on Thanksgiving night.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of duel
Noun
  • Possible payloads include kinetic effects and electronic warfare equipment.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The wisdom of fully incorporating AI into warfare has already been questioned by some research.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of warfare
Noun
  • Before the conflict, Qatar exported almost one-fifth of the world’s LNG, all of it through the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Moldova reports another drone incursion During the aerial barrages, drones have repeatedly strayed into neighboring countries, unnerving leaders who are wary of Russia and fear being dragged into conflict.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of conflict
Noun
  • The final confrontation unfolded in darkness early Monday, when deputies exchanged gunfire with Spencer for more than two hours before he was killed, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The confrontation began Friday after a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a mosque, and gunmen stormed the facility, killing 21 people and wounding 103 others.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

tugging
tug-of-war
tugs
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Cite this Entry

“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tug-of-war

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tug-of-war

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