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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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 tugs-of-war These places have always been subject to imperial tugs-of-war. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 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

The idea is to hold recurring shows where audiences can become invested in individual wrestlers, rivalries and stories rather than encountering lucha only at an occasional cultural festival.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
But over the years, Bird of the Year has also become known for its fiercely competitive campaigns, tongue-in-cheek rivalries and occasional controversy.

— Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of rivalries

Noun

Based in Malibu and described as an avid surfer and skater, Gerber had opened up about his mental health struggles and drug use in recent years.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer has compared the struggles his sister once faced with the media to issues being dealt with today by his nephew Prince Harry and Harry’s wife Meghan Markle.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of struggles

Noun

America is at a critical crossroads for the type of future in store beyond issues of affordability, groceries and gas prices due to global conflicts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
This can make the movie frustrating for those seeking something more explosive, because the conflicts in What Remains mostly happen on the inside.

— Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

In defence, his lack of physicality is becoming more glaring in a Premier League that is leaning more heavily than ever into duels, second balls and set pieces.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The noodles, the cheese, the topping, the consistency—duels have been fought over less.

— Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of duels

Noun

There are examples of ticket holders being ejected from games for confrontations with players.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Videos of the confrontations got hundreds of thousands of views on social media, a burst of attention for a conservative youth organization that is charting its next chapter after last year’s fatal shooting of its leader Charlie Kirk.

— Hannah Fingerhut, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of confrontations

Noun

Surf competitions and other special events would require separate county permits.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
In 2023, France’s highest administrative court said the country’s soccer federation could impose a ban on headscarves in competitions even though the measure can limit freedom of expression.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of competitions

Noun

The wars caused massive destruction of religious and civic buildings, mills and mines, housing, crops, herds and transport infrastructure, damaging prosperity and forcing some people to move or starve.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Clashes since Wednesday in Tigray and the neighbouring regions of Amhara and Afar have shattered a 4-year-old peace deal that ended one of the century's deadliest wars.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of wars

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 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tugs-of-war

noun

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