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
At Big Tech companies, the offers are even more eye-watering as firms pour billions into AI, igniting a nonstop tug-of-war for talent among companies like OpenAI, Meta, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic.
—
Preston Fore, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
The methods may have changed, but this is a familiar tug-of-war.
—Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
There’s no tug-of-war with the ball.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Washington is close enough to make every result feel like a tug-of-war.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Preston Fore, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
The methods may have changed, but this is a familiar tug-of-war.
—Stephen Mihm, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
There’s no tug-of-war with the ball.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
Washington is close enough to make every result feel like a tug-of-war.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war
Noun
-
Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma’s coaching rivalry has had something for everyone on and off the court.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But there were also rivalries — and who got to control a bigger share of the work was hotly contested.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Battle of Kings Mountain, where the Patriots won a 1780 battle just west of Charlotte, and a recreation of British loyalist leader Maj.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In a battle for first place in the Pacific Coast League, Patel drove in five runs and scored a run to lead Irvine to an 8-2 victory over Portola.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ambassador, who was not identified or criminally charged, stabbed Berry during a struggle that began after the ambassador asked Berry and a teenage girl to stop vaping on a bus.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The Wolverines missed their first 11 shots from 3, finished 2 for 15 from there and won despite the struggles of its best player, Yaxel Lendeborg.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But neither is an experienced starter so general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley will almost certainly seek training camp competition for each role.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The drama was announced as having been selected for Cannes’ main competition at the festival’s traditional press conference in Paris on Thursday.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Rangers loss extends their losing streak to four games after a pitching duel between Jack Leiter and Chase Burns.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The duel on the mound was so-so.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other major targets include an Indian firm specializing in surveillance and electronic warfare, an AI solutions company, and a global web design agency.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Over more than four years of Russia’s invasion and highly technological drone warfare, Kyiv has built considerable expertise in countering Shahed drones in particular, which Russia uses regularly on Ukrainian territory.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But those expectations have since been upended as the Iran conflict has sent shockwaves through the global economy that are unlikely to unravel anytime soon, even if the war is brought to a rapid resolution.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The laws of armed conflict allow attacks on civilian infrastructure only if the military advantage outweighs the civilian harm, legal scholars say.—
Compiled byDemocrat-Gazette stafffrom wire reports,
Arkansas Online,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Police have not released a motive for the attack or additional details about what sparked the confrontation at the gym.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The confrontation, which led to multiple 911 calls reporting a fight involving a firearm, resulted in the arrest of Ahmad Zeeshan.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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