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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rival
Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Its rival in the UAE, Du, is also working on landing the Singapore-India-Gulf submarine cable in the country.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Why in the world didn’t the rival leagues simply merge?
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
In addition to inter-hub transport benefits, the park is only 31 miles from Vizag Port, allowing BIAC to offer lead times that rival those from key sourcing destinations such as Chittagong and Shanghai.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
Next up is Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose visit carries particular weight given Germany's central role in Europe's industrial supply chains with an automobile industry hanging on by a thread and losing global market share to Chinese rivals.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Its rival in the UAE, Du, is also working on landing the Singapore-India-Gulf submarine cable in the country.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
In last week’s 83-71 loss to rival and second-ranked Michigan, Fears appeared to intentionally trip preseason All-America forward Yaxel Lendeborg.
—Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Why in the world didn’t the rival leagues simply merge?
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
This is reflected in the local real estate market; Charlotte consistently ranks in the top three nationally for office leasing and absorption, rivaling much larger hubs like New York and Dallas.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
In addition to inter-hub transport benefits, the park is only 31 miles from Vizag Port, allowing BIAC to offer lead times that rival those from key sourcing destinations such as Chittagong and Shanghai.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
Ewing, a Grade II winner at Saratoga, in the $150,000 Ozark Stakes, the Dixie Belle equivalent for 3-year-old males.—
Bob Wisener,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The 100-light-year-wide expanse of the Rosette Nebula is estimated to have a staggering mass the equivalent to 10,000 suns and has been sculpted and eroded by the radiation from nearby stars.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Dhakshineswar Suresh Ekambaram, a college tennis star at Wake Forest, leading India to a sensational 3-2 win over the Netherlands, taking the deciding rubber despite a 290-place rankings deficit to opponent Guy den Ouden.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In the weeks leading up to that election, Nanos reportedly placed his opponent Heather Lappin, a lieutenant at the Pima County Jail, on administrative leave, ordering her not to discuss the reasoning for his decision.—
Peter D'Abrosca , Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The 2024 Games in Paris were hailed for their gender parity, the first Games with a 50/50 split among men and women competitors.—
Dana ONeil,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The Post began to bleed talent while its competitors siphoned off its subscribers, at times directly appealing to Post readers.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league's competitive integrity.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Celebrate with an activity that allows for big release of energies, something athletic or competitive; a sedentary pleasure could lead to discord.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hurzeler is probably safe for the rest of the season before a summer review of how things stand for a club with ambitions to build on reaching Europe for the first time in 2022-23 by competing regularly in the top half of the table and for their first domestic silverware.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
There is also an alternate halftime show planned by Turning Point USA, the conservative organization cofounded by late activist Charlie Kirk, to compete with Bad Bunny's performance.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The film also draws major inspiration from the Rock Springs Massacre of 1885, a notorious outbreak of anti-Chinese violence in the American West, in which at least 28 Chinese coal miners were killed by their white counterparts.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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Momentum in that direction, however, has come at the same time that the party faces a fraught financial gap compared to its GOP counterpart that could end up carrying major implications down the ballot.—
Hunter Woodall,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Hungarian midfielder had looked set to bask in the glory of being Liverpool’s match-winner against old foes Manchester City at Anfield.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Joe Schoen is on the verge of handing a Super Bowl to back-to-back NFC foes if the Seattle Seahawks topple the New England Patriots Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Hunt is one of three female frontrunners, with former BBC content boss Charlotte Moore, and ex-Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon, also considered to be serious contenders.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Alysa Liu, returning to the Olympics after a brief retirement, is a gold medal contender at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in women’s figure skating.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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