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 As the offensive tug-of-war continued into the second quarter and New York cut the lead down to three, Brunson finally appeared back on the bench and checked back into the game as Knicks fans breathed a sigh of relief. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 4 June 2026 And so, in the constant tug-of-war between tradition and innovation, the latest design heaves toward history, meeting the future’s infrastructure needs in comfortingly familiar costume. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026 The winners of San Jose’s City Council races will have to wrestle with multimillion-dollar budget deficits in the coming years, tackle ongoing struggles with homelessness and public safety, and balance the tug-of-war between labor and business at City Hall. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 House Speaker Mike Johnson reflects on the tug-of-war between the legislative and executive branches in an exclusive USA TODAY interview ahead of America's 250th anniversary. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war

Noun

The Pride and Angel City have established a fierce rivalry in their short history.

— Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2026
Spain and Portugal renew their historic rivalry, with Lamine Yamal and Cristiano Ronaldo in contrasting lights.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 6 July 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

Clifford was impressed with Acuff’s ability to play through his early struggles.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
Older students and professionals face an existential struggle to find a job, according to Yahya Alhamarna, a 24-year-old author displaced in Gaza City.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
In an interview with Mental Floss, competitive eater Yasir Salem discusses how speed eaters will chew gum to strengthen their jaws to avoid fatigue during competitions.

— Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Gabriel and Haaland are key men for their countries, too; whoever shades their personal duel will have a great chance of finishing on the winning team.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026
As with many Latin American and African teams, Paraguay defend deep and are extremely physical in duels and aerial battles.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

The conflict has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced some 13 million and pushed many parts of Sudan into famine.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
After more than four years of war between Russia and Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a rare admission that the conflict has caused his country a problem.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 7 July 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Multiple replay challenges, a pivotal plate tag and a brief benches-clearing confrontation highlighted the drama as the Dodgers became the first team to 60 wins.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
The prosecutor argued that Styles’ death was more than a confrontation.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 July 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tug-of-war

noun

Example Sentences

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