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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tugs-of-war

Noun

At a time when the news cycle seems to serve up nothing but conflict, crisis and woe, the World Cup offers shelter, a truly international event in which conflict is defined by long-term sports rivalries and questionable referee decisions.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly looking to pair James with Stephen Curry, which would turn one of the NBA's greatest rivalries into two of the game's greatest stars fighting for their fifth title together.

— Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of rivalries

Noun

On Friday, Putin visited the Russian military headquarters directing the action in Ukraine to receive a report on the capture of the city of Kostyantynivka after weeks of intense street battles.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Legal battles can discourage farmers Mora said the years-long litigation has left him feeling frustrated and defenseless.

— Claire Rush, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

Through speeches, chants and signs, demonstrators drew a line between the struggles local facility employees face and those carried by farmworkers in the Philippines.

— Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
DeGrom suffered first-inning struggles before settling in, his pattern this season.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of struggles

Noun

Small commercial and military drones have become increasingly common in recent conflicts, performing reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision attack missions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026
Painful conflicts with family over Israel are common The survey finds that rifts are springing up within families and communities over Israel, even among religiously unaffiliated Jews.

— David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

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
On Wednesday, Tillman won nine duels — the most of anyone who played on either side — and had five dangerous interceptions, a metric used in soccer that accounts for stopping an attack.

— Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 2 July 2026

Definition of duels

Noun

Riders are screened before competitions and anyone considered too inexperienced is denied entry.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Olise’s five assists in France’s opening four games have been a ruthless continuation of his club form, having racked up 26 in all competitions for Bayern Munich last season.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of competitions

Noun

Ryan argues in a June report by the Lowy Institute that future wars will reward militaries able to recognize battlefield change, absorb lessons and adapt faster than their opponents.

— David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
The Iran and Gaza wars have thrown that absence and European strategic impotence into sharp relief.

— Galip Dalay, Time, 7 July 2026

Definition of wars

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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 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tugs-of-war

noun

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