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
The best way to channel their instincts and energy constructively, is by engaging in a variety of outdoor activities such as long walks, runs, hikes, bike rides, fetch, tug-of-war, backyard football, and off-leash play in dog parks.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Another noted that the dogs tested were significantly more likely to approach winners of a tug-of-war game.
—Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2025
Members of Jane's Addiction entangled themselves in a legal tug-of-war this week, with several members of the rock band suing the lead singer, who retaliated with a lawsuit of his own.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 19 July 2025
But like the waves at Cousins Beach, this third and final season reveals heartbreaking secrets, setting up one final brotherly tug-of-war over Belly's heart.
—Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Another noted that the dogs tested were significantly more likely to approach winners of a tug-of-war game.
—Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2025
Members of Jane's Addiction entangled themselves in a legal tug-of-war this week, with several members of the rock band suing the lead singer, who retaliated with a lawsuit of his own.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 19 July 2025
But like the waves at Cousins Beach, this third and final season reveals heartbreaking secrets, setting up one final brotherly tug-of-war over Belly's heart.
—Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war
Noun
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The plaintiffs in the lawsuit alleged Amazon didn't consider the Falcon 9 due to an intense and personal rivalry between Bezos and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
18 July 2025
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However, the trade rivalry between the U.S. and China has been weighing heavily on the industry.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
15 July 2025
Noun
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The injuries that eventually cut the third baseman’s career short began to take hold right before Forde lost a years-long battle with breast cancer.—
Abbey Mastracco,
Hartford Courant,
19 July 2025
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Coming weeks after Lexington and Concord, the battle marked the British effort to control the hills surrounding Boston’s harbor.—
Brian T. Allen,
National Review,
19 July 2025
Noun
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More struggles result in prosperity Another fight would also call for Jones' leadership in action.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
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In another, Paramount is reading the writing on the wall, as late-night and network television writ large struggle to keep up with streaming.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Stage 32 is launching a Global Screenwriting Contest Hub, bringing together dozens of writing competitions from around the world into one place including Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying contests.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
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Beginning with five pairs who choose to couple up, the show then sees the islanders through eight weeks of fierce competition as bombshells enter the villa and games are played to see who will leave the villa as the strongest couple.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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The quarterback then took it up a notch, challenging fans to a shotgun duel near the 17th tee.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
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More encouraging still is how seamlessly Carreras slotted into that position against Atletico, completing 74 of his 78 passes, winning all eight of his ground duels and defending the wide spaces well.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The defeat of the Islamic State in Kobani—with significant American air support—energized the PKK, which started a campaign of urban warfare and tried to take over cities in southeastern Turkey.—
Ragip Soylu,
Time,
18 July 2025
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Military officials have suggested that the bot operation may be part of a wider effort involving Russia, a longtime practitioner of digital influence warfare.—
Deborah Danan,
Sun Sentinel,
16 July 2025
Noun
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These negotiations come at a particularly fraught moment, following a 12-day conflict triggered by Israeli attacks on Iranian targets.—
Amir Daftari
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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More than 130,000 people have been evacuated from conflict areas in Thailand, where the death toll rose to 15 as of early Friday, 14 of those civilians, according to the health ministry.—
Shoon Naing,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Noun
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How Iran responds next could shift the fragile balance between confrontation and peace.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
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Midas kills Araña after a confrontation fueled by accusations of betrayal.—
Time,
Time,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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