1
as in counterparts
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 opponents
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 competitors
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivals
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
United Airlines' expansion, however, is outpacing its large airline rivals, a plan CEO Scott Kirby told CNBC is paying off because of the company's product, network and technology, like onboard amenities such as Bluetooth connectivity, seat-back screens and its app.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
While there’s a playful satisfaction in watching distant sports rivals stumble, this neural response carries implications for daily life if unchecked.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Once the launchpad for Oscar juggernauts from Slumdog Millionaire to La La Land, TIFF has in recent years watched rivals Venice and Telluride siphon away its prestige premieres, while buyers grumbled about thinner slates and softer deal flow.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
In the waning years of Ali’s and Frazier’s lives, friends and media figures tried to patch things up between the rivals.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Speaking of the Astros, the Rangers are headed to Houston now, with a chance to vault themselves past their division rivals and into a playoff spot.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Assaults by the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club are often committed in order to protect and expand territory, intimidate rivals, conceal members from law enforcement and advance extracurricular criminal projects, according to the 2024 indictment.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 16 Sep. 2025
The ballclub sat nine outs from elimination and trailed their AL East rivals 7-0 in the seventh inning.
—Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Once Deauville comes into view, there’s a wealth of options to consider but perhaps nothing rivals L’Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville, where many celebrities set up camp for the run of the festival.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Great Nicobar rivals Ecuador’s Galápagos with its cultural and biological wealth.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Being a fan is emotional for many, and the emotional return on sports ownership often rivals the financial one.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Get a taste of it before the season arrives with a red cashmere sweater that rivals a Snapdragon’s brightness.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
Staveley left her position as co-owner of Tottenham’s Premier League rivals Newcastle United in July 2024.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Yet Team Cherry, along with dozens of coders and others, working quietly and deliberately, has crafted something that rivals (and often surpasses) the work of those massive studios.
—Keller Gordon, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
With Bowers back in the lineup, the Raiders can take on their rivals with the same strong offense that showed up against the Patriots.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
United Airlines' expansion, however, is outpacing its large airline rivals, a plan CEO Scott Kirby told CNBC is paying off because of the company's product, network and technology, like onboard amenities such as Bluetooth connectivity, seat-back screens and its app.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
While there’s a playful satisfaction in watching distant sports rivals stumble, this neural response carries implications for daily life if unchecked.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Once the launchpad for Oscar juggernauts from Slumdog Millionaire to La La Land, TIFF has in recent years watched rivals Venice and Telluride siphon away its prestige premieres, while buyers grumbled about thinner slates and softer deal flow.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
In the waning years of Ali’s and Frazier’s lives, friends and media figures tried to patch things up between the rivals.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Speaking of the Astros, the Rangers are headed to Houston now, with a chance to vault themselves past their division rivals and into a playoff spot.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Assaults by the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club are often committed in order to protect and expand territory, intimidate rivals, conceal members from law enforcement and advance extracurricular criminal projects, according to the 2024 indictment.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
DreamCloud’s discounts closely rivals Nectar’s—this mattress-in-a-box company is offering savings of up to 66% on mattresses and $599 on accessories.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 16 Sep. 2025
The ballclub sat nine outs from elimination and trailed their AL East rivals 7-0 in the seventh inning.
—Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Once Deauville comes into view, there’s a wealth of options to consider but perhaps nothing rivals L’Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville, where many celebrities set up camp for the run of the festival.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Great Nicobar rivals Ecuador’s Galápagos with its cultural and biological wealth.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Being a fan is emotional for many, and the emotional return on sports ownership often rivals the financial one.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Get a taste of it before the season arrives with a red cashmere sweater that rivals a Snapdragon’s brightness.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
Staveley left her position as co-owner of Tottenham’s Premier League rivals Newcastle United in July 2024.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Yet Team Cherry, along with dozens of coders and others, working quietly and deliberately, has crafted something that rivals (and often surpasses) the work of those massive studios.
—Keller Gordon, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivals
Noun
-
Clearly Putin is determined to see nothing less than the destruction of a democratic Ukraine tethered to Europe and has no respect for the international rule of law or his counterparts.—
Oleksandra Matviichuk,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Fans from around the globe will mix and mingle with counterparts backing other clubs in a collegial environment.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Although Lerner later resigned, the controversy became a lasting symbol of what Republicans call the weaponization of government against ideological opponents.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Critics say that Trump is using Kirk's assassination as a pretext to crack down on political opponents.—
Trevor Hunnicutt,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Experience More, for example, includes Netflix and Apple TV+, in-flight Wi-Fi, and 60GB of hotspot data for $140 per month with three lines on AutoPay—about $50 less than competitors.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Dell Technologies’ ObjectScale and NetApp’s StorageGRID are the closest competitors.—
Steve McDowell,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Google, whose Gemini chatbot competes with ChatGPT, has been slower to sign such deals.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Bill Belichick camped the team at Palm Beach Atlantic University, a private Christian school that competes at the Division II level.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But apps like Photos and Messages share more underlying code with their iOS and iPadOS equivalents.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Manufacturers, distributors, researchers, and even dispensary-equivalents will need federal licenses.—
Robert Hoban,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The teams may again meet this weekend in a match-up that will again stoke the political machinations between the foes.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Master Chief, much like the Doom Slayer, dwarfed most of his foes and was nigh-on invulnerable.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Cubs and Padres are the only contenders the Mets will see in the final stretch.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Argentina and Brazil are amongst the top contenders to lift the World Cup, and the other four nations have all improved in the last few years and should pose a bigger threat to their European opponents next summer.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The event takes place after the boat races.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
-
RDREs use a detonation wave that races around a circular channel, which produces short, high-pressure bursts that drive up thrust and efficiency.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivals. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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