variants
or rivalling
as in competitive
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
variants
or rivalling
as in competing
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 rivaling
James Peckham, PC Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
The Gulf Cooperation Council has pumped more than $100 billion into Africa over the last decade across energy, ports, logistics, and tech, dwarfing the US and rivalling Europe.
—semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
From the covid-19 pandemic to the war in Ukraine and now the Middle East conflict, the world's fastest-growing continent -- with a population rivaling China and India -- is at the painful end of ripple effects that include a global scramble for critical resources like fuel and fertilizer.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026
Some world leaders are worried this potential narrative could lead to the board rivaling or sidelining the United Nations.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
That splurge — rivaling the costliest human endeavors in history — is borne out of ambitions to outdo their giant rivals in a field that could determine their futures.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
The poster for Godard’s film is a masterpiece, rivalling the clarity of the movie.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
That splurge — rivaling the costliest human endeavors in history — is borne out of ambitions to outdo their giant rivals in a field that could determine their futures.
—Debby Wu, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Ten states representing 100 million Americans could create a surveillance network rivaling what the CDC provided.
—Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
However, all these new options announced at GDC show Google wants to become a powerhouse in PC gaming, rivaling other storefronts.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
The Gulf Cooperation Council has pumped more than $100 billion into Africa over the last decade across energy, ports, logistics, and tech, dwarfing the US and rivalling Europe.
—semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
From the covid-19 pandemic to the war in Ukraine and now the Middle East conflict, the world's fastest-growing continent -- with a population rivaling China and India -- is at the painful end of ripple effects that include a global scramble for critical resources like fuel and fertilizer.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026
Some world leaders are worried this potential narrative could lead to the board rivaling or sidelining the United Nations.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
That splurge — rivaling the costliest human endeavors in history — is borne out of ambitions to outdo their giant rivals in a field that could determine their futures.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
The poster for Godard’s film is a masterpiece, rivalling the clarity of the movie.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
That splurge — rivaling the costliest human endeavors in history — is borne out of ambitions to outdo their giant rivals in a field that could determine their futures.
—Debby Wu, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Ten states representing 100 million Americans could create a surveillance network rivaling what the CDC provided.
—Robert B. Shpiner, STAT, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivaling
Adjective
-
Republicans broadly supported the administration's military action in Iran, but most GOP incumbents in competitive races have noticeably ducked addressing rising gas prices while defending the war itself.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Missouri showed flashes of becoming a competitive SEC team, particularly on offensively, but struggled to sustain success against deeper opponents.—
Aaron Segal,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The legislation, the latest in a long effort by some lawmakers of both parties to rein in the price of insulin, faces many hurdles, including concerns about the cost and other competing congressional priorities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Our guys were locked in and competing.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The intuitive Moon stirs your 7th House of Companionship, squaring fortuitous Jupiter in your 4th House of Care, so promises and comfort could pull in opposite directions.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Yet the homage to Badinter proved strikingly uncontroversial, with politicians from opposite ends of the political spectrum striving to claim him as one of their own.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Wizards are talking about contending next season, once their centerpiece arrives through the draft.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
After the second call was overturned, Twins manager Derek Shelton exploded from the dugout, contending Helsley didn’t challenge in time.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As the volunteer soccer coach shouted words of motivation, one of his players nudged the ball past the opposing team's goalie and into the net, prompting the sideline to erupt in cheers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Carmel’s Emerson Larson isn’t the type of pitcher who can surprise an opposing lineup.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivaling. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
