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

tugs-of-war

noun

plural of tug-of-war

as in rivalries

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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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 tugs-of-war Both the Russian and Chinese governments have been compromising routers for years, sometimes in prolonged tugs-of-war to wrest control of devices the other has already commandeered. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026 This climactic collision is woven from several minor ethical tugs-of-war that rest on each character exhibiting both selfishness and altruism in various scenes, until their complicated humanity is placed under a harsh spotlight. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026 Youssef has a history of intense and high-profile tugs-of-war with Egypt’s authoritarian regimes, the most recent of which has been in power since 2014. — Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tugs-of-war

Noun

Goodall has become the dominant force in ring building in the UK, working for almost every conceivable promoter — unusual in itself given this is a sport built on such fierce sporting and commercial rivalries.

— Chris McKenna, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Jurors also heard testimony from investigators and gang experts about the rivalries, alliances and subgroups that make up Sacramento’s street gang landscape.

— Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of rivalries

Noun

This week, an over-the-hill Kevin Hart, (pickleball) court battles, and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (and its related series), among others, demand your attention.

— Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 24 July 2026
These individuals are already fighting some of the most difficult battles of their lives.

— Jigar Thakkar, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

There are also examples of schools that reject students with academic or behavioral struggles.

— Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
In a place whose people are forced to endure the same struggles as their parents (to paraphrase one of this film’s most aching laments), time will always be a flat circle.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

Definition of struggles

Noun

Yacht companies are offering discounts and special offers on charters in the Mediterranean Sea this summer, as geopolitical conflicts cool demand.

— Robert Frank, CNBC, 22 July 2026
The results included greater team alignment, fewer conflicts among leadership, faster decision-making and stronger cross-functional trust.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

Additional confrontations and standoffs also occurred in Sikkim.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026
But suffice it to say the battle serves as one of the deadliest and most defining confrontations of the Targaryen civil war, permanently shifting the balance of power as the Dance of Dragons careens toward its fiery end.

— Megan McCluskey, Time, 20 July 2026

Definition of confrontations

Noun

The 20-year-old Venezuelan expertly controlled the ball with space to work, dribbled into the box, cut to his left and tucked it between Cleveland and the far post for his sixth MLS goal and 10th in all competitions this year.

— Josh Gross, Daily News, 26 July 2026
Quarterback competitions in several cities Tagovailoa and Penix will compete in Atlanta.

— Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Definition of competitions

Browse Nearby Words

tugs

tugs-of-war

tuile

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“Tugs-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tugs-of-war. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tugs-of-war

noun

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