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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of duels
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Pachycephalosaurs are often depicted using their domed heads to engage in headbutting duels.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2025
While Calvert-Lewin contested fewer duels (six), but won all of them, Muniz took on 15, winning eight and losing seven.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
From playoff duels to major championship showdowns, their careers have been intertwined since the late 1990s.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Having made the move north from Osasuna, Areso has settled in quickly at Los Leones, winning four duels, and getting forward on the front foot to lead the way down the right flank.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Crochet and Marlins starter Janson Junk were outstanding, going toe-to-toe in one of the season’s best pitchers’ duels.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
There was no shortage of pitcher’s duels between the two lefties, but the most memorable moments of their head-to-head battles involved Bumgarner in the box and Kershaw on the mound.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
Pachycephalosaurs are often depicted using their domed heads to engage in headbutting duels.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2025
While Calvert-Lewin contested fewer duels (six), but won all of them, Muniz took on 15, winning eight and losing seven.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
From playoff duels to major championship showdowns, their careers have been intertwined since the late 1990s.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Having made the move north from Osasuna, Areso has settled in quickly at Los Leones, winning four duels, and getting forward on the front foot to lead the way down the right flank.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Crochet and Marlins starter Janson Junk were outstanding, going toe-to-toe in one of the season’s best pitchers’ duels.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duels
Noun
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Created by Oscar winner Callie Khouri, the series tracks the tangled personal and professional lives of fictional country stars navigating fame, rivalries, and the high-stakes world of Music City.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Sep. 2025
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The bonds in Task are between men and other men, whether the backdrop is a barroom or a church; the loyalties, power structures, rivalries, and affections are all patriarchal.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Milioti played Sofia Falcone, scion-ette of the Falcone crime family, who battles Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) for control of Gotham.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
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In the footage, Geralt approaches the domain of a wraith and battles the skeletal specter, culminating in a heart-ripping moment.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Some say the confrontations are not isolated, but part of a wider cycle of fear and resistance that is expected to intensify as operations expand.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
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That event was still beset by confrontations, with someone jumping on a police officer, protesters smashing glass panes in the doors of the venue and members of the Proud Boys – a far-right group – clashing with demonstrators, according to local media reports.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As always, secrets emerge, fights ensue, and Madea makes a speech to bring everyone back together.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Sep. 2025
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As the immune system fights the infection, the tissues in the urinary tract become inflamed.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In their last five meetings across all competitions, UANL Tigres has three wins, while Guadalajara has yet to claim a win, with two matches ending in draws.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Anousheh Ansari is the CEO of XPRIZE Foundation, a nonprofit that runs competitions with $500 million in prizes designed to spur new ideas on how to tackle environmental challenges.—
Elisabeth Brier,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Becca Israel, director of the Nexus Project, a nonprofit that combats antisemitism and promotes democracy, said the administration's actions send conflicting messages.—
Jason DeRose,
NPR,
17 Sep. 2025
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Lately Rigel has seen big sales increases for a few of its drugs, notably Tavelisse, which combats a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own blood platelets.—
John Dorfman,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Girls in particular report drops in confidence, disrupted sleep, and heavier struggles with mental health.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Production shutdowns, layoffs BrightDrop's struggles come less than a year after GM folded the commercial vans into its Chevrolet brand in a bid to boost its performance as GM tries to gain ground against competitors, including Ford and Rivian, in the electric van space.—
Jackie Charniga,
Freep.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Unlimited drinks, two-for-one specials and drinking contests are also off-limits.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Polls of job approval are routinely used by political strategists to assess the public's appetite for change and can affect fundraising, candidate recruitment and messaging heading into midterm contests.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Duels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duels. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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