as in dynamic
having or marked by a strong desire to win or be better than others
The two siblings shared a rivalrous but ultimately loving relationship.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalrous
The translation into Hindi inevitably fails; instead, two fabulously different, almost rivalrous texts sit next to each other.
—
James Wood, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The fan-favorite wrestling drama that paired Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig as rivalrous bros went peering off a cliff less than two months ago before its unceremonious cancellation.
—Starz Turns Heels, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2023
The rivalrous power dynamic between Jones and frontman Jagger is captured in brilliant subtlety in the glances between them during an impromptu interview.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Nov. 2023
A little more than a year ago, Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari and Louisville men’s basketball coach Chris Mack were publicly exchanging rivalrous barbs ahead of the 2020-21 season, a season which saw the Cardinals defeat the Wildcats.
—Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, 28 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for rivalrous
James Wood, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The fan-favorite wrestling drama that paired Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig as rivalrous bros went peering off a cliff less than two months ago before its unceremonious cancellation.
—Starz Turns Heels, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2023
The rivalrous power dynamic between Jones and frontman Jagger is captured in brilliant subtlety in the glances between them during an impromptu interview.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Nov. 2023
A little more than a year ago, Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari and Louisville men’s basketball coach Chris Mack were publicly exchanging rivalrous barbs ahead of the 2020-21 season, a season which saw the Cardinals defeat the Wildcats.
—Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, 28 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for rivalrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalrous
Adjective
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On the shores of the Atlantic, the region birthed the dynamic Gullah culture and communities of Black fisherfolk who gave America shrimp and grits, crab rice, she-crab soup, and the one-pot wonder Hoppin’ John.—
Cynthia R. Greenlee,
Bon Appétit,
28 Feb. 2025
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As models learn and adapt, their underlying parameters shift, requiring a dynamic approach to inference serving.—
Suvarna Krishnan,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But considering that many global citizens remain unbanked or underbanked, this technology could be more complementary than competitive with traditional banking in the medium term.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
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The Islanders have enough solid forwards to be competitive without adding in the offseason.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Vonn took the super-combined and downhill titles the previous two days. 2014 — The Clippers rout the rival Lakers 142-94.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2025
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Madrid was considered to have pulled off a major coup when beating bitter rival FC Barcelona to Arda Guler by paying more than his Fenerbahce release clause.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Stripes Everywhere Stripes are having a major design moment, proving that the lively pattern is timeless, versatile, and effortlessly chic.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Mar. 2025
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The High Kings and Mary Black Palmer Auditorium, 270 Mohegan Ave Pkwy., New London A full evening of Irish music with vocalist Mary Black, lively traditional Irish band The High Kings plus Róisín O is being presented by The Kate but held at Connecticut College’s Palmer Auditorium.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Last year, another mystery flu-like illness that killed dozens of people in another part of Congo was determined to be likely malaria.—
Jean-Yves Kamale,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2025
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In sum, Washington should focus less on the positive-sum project of globalizing the liberal order and more on the zero-sum imperative of stopping determined adversaries from imposing their own, antithetical visions of how the world should work.—
HAL BRANDS,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalrous. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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