as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a duel for the title of captain of the team
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Recent Examples of duels
Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
In Dumas’ work, fights and duels and brave assaults on prisons are done grandly, out in the open.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
This traces, in part, to those practice duels with Marciulionis, whose patience and persistence through two bumpy seasons ultimately yielded two highly productive seasons.
—Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
Physical, mobile defender who excels in 1v1 duels and recovery defending.
—Abraham Nudelstejer, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Canada has won four of the six Olympics championship duels with its southern neighbors, with the 2006 victory giving the country five overall Olympic women’s hockey golds.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
But landing big jumps in competition, when adrenaline duels with cortisol, is more difficult.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Cassidy, winner of five of the last eight races going back to last season, lost in the duels quarterfinals to De Vries.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin both have the ability to win aerial duels and run off their partner’s flick-ons.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
In Dumas’ work, fights and duels and brave assaults on prisons are done grandly, out in the open.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
This traces, in part, to those practice duels with Marciulionis, whose patience and persistence through two bumpy seasons ultimately yielded two highly productive seasons.
—Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
Physical, mobile defender who excels in 1v1 duels and recovery defending.
—Abraham Nudelstejer, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Canada has won four of the six Olympics championship duels with its southern neighbors, with the 2006 victory giving the country five overall Olympic women’s hockey golds.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
But landing big jumps in competition, when adrenaline duels with cortisol, is more difficult.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Cassidy, winner of five of the last eight races going back to last season, lost in the duels quarterfinals to De Vries.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duels
Noun
-
Others are places of conflict caused by rivalries between countries or peoples, disputes over national resources, or disagreements about the past.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
If festive pride persists, it is no longer connected to a country, empire, culture, or race, but the unique traditions of individual municipalities, pitted against one another in fierce but friendly, sportsmanlike rivalries.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The series ran from 1993 to 2001 and followed Ranger Cordell Walker, a Texas lawman who battles crime with a black belt and strong personal code.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
As fans debate whether to renew now, there is again a question mark hanging over the club, as Pereira battles to lead Forest clear of the threat of relegation.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The tense and often violent confrontations outside the Broadview facility included questionable tactics by the federal officers with their use of tear gas and less-lethal munitions on demonstrators.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Tortorella brings the reputation into the veteran locker room of a fiery coach who doesn't back down from confrontations, often winning early before later wearing thin with his players.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Blaydes fights Josh Hokit on the main card of UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of fighting fire with fire, Lamont fights fire with facts.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The case presents an interesting account of sports business and higher ed decision-making at a time when many colleges are in expensive competitions for coaches who are paid millions of dollars, and where athletes are now paid through revenue sharing and NIL.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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According to the cafe’s social media, Subculture previously held latte art competitions and open mic nights.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mix cinnamon with warm water to create a spray that combats fungal issues and discourages pests from returning.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream The Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream is a fragrance-free, multitasking formula that combats wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The committee will share the information with parents and staff on which campuses would be closed and more details on consolidation amid increasing financial struggles.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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Screens in education are one factor increasingly under scrutiny as educators and parents search for explanations for this generation’s academic struggles, which became most pronounced during COVID-19 but have lingered even after years back in the physical classroom.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The ballot is packed, from city council races in fast-growing suburbs to school boards looking to fund expansion projects, though many contests remain low profile.—
From staff reports,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
One year earlier, the Indiana roster had eight future NBA players, outscored opponents by nearly 23 points per game and won their first 31 contests before falling 92-90 in the Elite Eight to Kentucky when May tried to play with a cast on his broken left arm.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duels. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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