as in competition
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
The 10-game rivalry stretch starts with the Padres and Giants each one game behind the Dodgers in the National League West.
—
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 10 June 2025
People have been saying that for as long as the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry has existed.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025
Tragically, the sick person died waiting for care that was tangled in layers of medical malpractice stemming from corporate greed and business rivalry.
—Sean M. Cleary, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2025
In this era of college sports, where geography is ignored and tradition is sold off for media rights, rivalries are one of the few things that still feel real.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 10 June 2025
People have been saying that for as long as the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry has existed.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 9 June 2025
Tragically, the sick person died waiting for care that was tangled in layers of medical malpractice stemming from corporate greed and business rivalry.
—Sean M. Cleary, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2025
In this era of college sports, where geography is ignored and tradition is sold off for media rights, rivalries are one of the few things that still feel real.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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Both vodkas have consistently earned medals in international spirit competitions.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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The fellowship already has a partnership with the Austin Film Festival’s script competition.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Noun
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The two journalists paid tribute to the late MTV VJ, who died Wednesday following a prolonged battle with breast cancer, during a CNN segment on Thursday.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
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Amid his ongoing legal battles with President Donald Trump’s administration, Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday announced the results of Operation Coast to Coast, a nationwide human trafficking effort to share intelligence, identify victims and arrest perpetrators.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Above, a curious duel unfolded: a seagull clashing mid-air with a hovering drone.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, but Ureña won a nine-pitch duel with Jeff McNeil, striking out the second baseman with a 97-mph sinker, and Smith picked off Marte at third to complete a rare home-to-third, strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
Noun
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The district developed some new policies after discovering COVID created not only bad habits but major struggles for families, including housing, employment and mental health, said Keith Oswald, chief of equity and wellness.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
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Goldberg emphasized the struggle to balance his warrior mentality with his body's current limitations, especially during Muay Thai training.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Yes, Good Night, and Good Luck is based on the real-life conflict between Murrow and Senator McCarthy and the CBS broadcast that helped expose him.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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Several swaps have previously taken place between the two sides despite the ongoing conflict.—
Todd Symons,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Across the border from Kursk, in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, Ukrainian soldiers who battled those soldiers described how the North Koreans went from suffering massive losses to learning electronic warfare.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
16 June 2025
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Radical, often foreign jihadists still make up a significant portion of the armed forces, ISIS is resurgent, former Assad loyalists remain dissatisfied, the economy is nonexistent from 13 years of warfare, and countless sectarian divisions threaten to rupture at any moment.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2025
Noun
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The tense confrontation was the latest flashpoint between the Trump administration and Chicago over immigration policies — a potentially ominous sign for what’s ahead for the nation’s third-largest city, which has long been in the president’s crosshairs.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
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In the ensuing violent confrontation, her son is killed.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Perfect Kyrie Irving Replacement Former NBA Lottery Pick Joining Rockets in Surprising Role: Report Jason Kidd Could Leave Mavericks For Sought-After HC Opening: Report Looking ahead to next season, the Lakers will need to make some offseason moves to get back into NBA Finals contention.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
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As Newcastle’s style has developed and with Tonali excelling in a deeper midfield role, Longstaff has fallen out of contention.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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