rival 1 of 3

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
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

rival

2 of 3

adjective

rival

3 of 3

verb

as in to compete
to engage in a contest two longtime friends who have rivaled for the same things at every stage of their lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rival
Noun
In the government's view, this forced rivals to nibble around the edges after being locked out by Google's contracts. Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025 Now that’s a golden goal The US defeated arch rival Canada 4-3 in a nail-bitter matchup on Sunday and won the women’s ice hockey world championships. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The 10-episode first season, starring Minka Kelly and Josh Duhamel, followed the push-and-pull struggles of rival ranching families in the titular Texas town, and has viewers clamoring for more. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2025 But while the Gemstones themselves have embraced Kelvin and his coming out, the rest of the world — particularly rival preacher Vance Simkins (Stephen Dorff), Kelvin’s competition for the ridiculous title of Top Christ-Following Man — is more critical. Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
Color reproduction, in particular, is wide and accurate, rivaling many high-end phone screens. PC Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025 Bloomberg | Getty Images Shares of LVMH plunged 8% on Tuesday, at times losing its position as world’s largest luxury firm to rival Hermès after an unexpected decline in first-quarter sales. Jenni Reid,karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
  • Just because of his style, Muhammad hasn't been much of a finisher to date in his MMA career, but he's got the kind of style that's great for breaking down opponents over time.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The Luddites weren’t mindless opponents of technology but had a clear logic to their actions—an essentially conservative one.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • While lawmakers scrutinize TikTok’s Chinese ownership and explore potential bans, competitors see a window of opportunity.
    Lisa Setyon, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
  • American Airlines saw the biggest dip in overall satisfaction among its competitors, sliding 8% to 73 from 79 the year prior, according to the ACSI survey.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Durbin’s decision to leave kickstarts what is expected to be a competitive primary among Illinois Democrats who are looking to succeed him.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Our system is designed to create competitive opportunity across the league where every team, if well-managed, has a chance to compete for a championship.
    Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Then the Fire, in an independent Central Hockey League, competed at the Fort Worth Convention Center from 1992 to 1999.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Photo of the day: The relief of sticking the landing Team USA star Jordan Chiles and the UCLA Bruins will compete for an NCAA title Saturday after advancing out of their semifinal session at the 2025 gymnastics championships in Fort Worth, Texas.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The British Foreign Office confirmed that ministerial Ukraine peace talks with U.S. and European counterparts were postponed and downgraded to behind-the-scenes meetings with officials.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In Harvard’s 2017 and 2020 youth polls, congressional Democrats had significantly higher approval ratings than their GOP counterparts or Trump.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The foes have made constitutional claims, environmental claims, procedural claims.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Giant games ahead as IM plays CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals this Thursday at Vancouver and April 30 vs. the same foe in Fort Lauderdale, with an MLS home match vs. Dallas in between next Sunday.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In his 10 years as a presidential contender Donald Trump has always benefited politically by attacking immigrants, winning support for his promises of a hardline border crackdown.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Chanel Chance Eau Splendide Eau de Parfum $143 NORDSTROM West stands by Chanel’s latest fragrance as a top contender for summer.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, competing services are on the launchpad, including from rival billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Amazon.
    Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Washington may face even greater competing crises today than in 2005, when Bush launched the country’s influenza strategy.
    Caitlin Rivers, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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