1
as in equivalent
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value
a design that is a rival to any produced by a professional graphic artist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in opponent
one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict
the boxer's toughest rival thus far
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in competitor
one who strives for the same thing as another
the four cities that are the top rivals for the site of the next Olympic Games
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in competitive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rival
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
That would likely lead him to battle both wrestlers down the line, first focusing his attention on another one of his rivals.
—Russ Weakland, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Vonn took the super-combined and downhill titles the previous two days.
2014 — The Clippers rout the rival Lakers 142-94.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Rob Picheta, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
The same lines were applied, inexplicably, to Jaguar’s compact X-Type sedan in 2001, which was meant to rival BMW’s cool, contemporary 3-Series.
—Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
The field has a number of large-scale streaming rivals to Disney, including Netflix and Amazon, each of which has made a push into live events and award shows.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
That would likely lead him to battle both wrestlers down the line, first focusing his attention on another one of his rivals.
—Russ Weakland, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Madrid was considered to have pulled off a major coup when beating bitter rival FC Barcelona to Arda Guler by paying more than his Fenerbahce release clause.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Vonn took the super-combined and downhill titles the previous two days.
2014 — The Clippers rout the rival Lakers 142-94.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
The plan seems destined to rival the negotiation process that Trump’s administration opened with Russia last month, and suggests a tacit acceptance that bringing Trump and Zelensky to the negotiating table together could result in tensions combusting once more.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
The same lines were applied, inexplicably, to Jaguar’s compact X-Type sedan in 2001, which was meant to rival BMW’s cool, contemporary 3-Series.
—Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
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The big picture: The legislation is driving a deep wedge between the Democratic Party and the restaurant industry with supporters and opponents on both sides.—
John Frank,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
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But the Terps lost for the first time in five games and slipped to 16-2 this winter at Xfinity Center, falling at home to a league opponent for the first time this season and losing at home for the first time since a 78-74 setback to then-No. 15 Marquette on Nov. 15.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In fact, research shows that companies putting talent at the heart of their business strategy achieve higher total shareholder returns than their competitors.—
Sherzod Odilov,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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The event, which included more than 90 competitors from sixth to eighth grade, brought together students from public and independent schools countywide at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in San Diego.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But considering that many global citizens remain unbanked or underbanked, this technology could be more complementary than competitive with traditional banking in the medium term.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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He and another competitive snowboarder were named in a search warrant for a house in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, that was investigated for growing large quantities of marijuana, according to The Vancouver Sun.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Frazer Harrison | Getty Images Two best actor nominees are competing for Oscar records, as noted by the BBC.—
Sarah Whitten,Sara Salinas,Russell Leung,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2025
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Pakistan competed with 16 other countries for a chance to host International Cricket Council events taking place between 2024 and 2031.—
Betsy Joles,
NPR,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Research shows that Black women are 50% less likely to be diagnosed with the condition than their white counterparts.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
6 Mar. 2025
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The Institute’s Democratic counterpart, the National Democratic Institute, faces a similar challenge.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make at least four changes when his team faces crosstown foe Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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Cathedral has outscored its two regional playoff foes 32-8 overall to reach its second SoCal title contest.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Both should be Final Four favorites and national title contenders.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
10 Mar. 2025
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And if current numbers are anything to go by, Split Fiction is shaping up to be a massive hit, and a GOTY contender in its own right.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Employees sometimes resent being affiliated with the larger department because of its sprawling, competing and sometimes politically charged activities.—
Frank J. Cilluffo,
The Conversation,
14 Jan. 2025
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Having an affordable and competing way to watch movies at home has changed some moviegoers’ habits.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to rival
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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