tugs-of-war

noun

plural of tug-of-war
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the effort to get their teenage son to keep his room clean is a constant tug-of-war

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 tugs-of-war Both the Russian and Chinese governments have been compromising routers for years, sometimes in prolonged tugs-of-war to wrest control of devices the other has already commandeered. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026 This climactic collision is woven from several minor ethical tugs-of-war that rest on each character exhibiting both selfishness and altruism in various scenes, until their complicated humanity is placed under a harsh spotlight. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026 Youssef has a history of intense and high-profile tugs-of-war with Egypt’s authoritarian regimes, the most recent of which has been in power since 2014. — Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tugs-of-war
  1. rivalries
  2. battles
  3. struggles
  4. conflicts
  5. duels
  6. confrontations
  7. competitions
  8. wars
Noun
  • Because the Zoroastrian group in India has stood outside the principal religious rivalries between Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, Lenny’s household initially offers an unaligned vantage on the city’s disintegration.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • The 'Stans want to maximize trade and stay out of geopolitical rivalries.
    — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of rivalries
Noun
  • The organization, which is responsible for cleaning up the messes after superhero battles, has something that Jean wants locked inside a vault.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • Boxing enthusiasts eagerly await an explosive showdown as Lamont Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs) battles William Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) for the vacant WBC lightweight championship.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of battles
Noun
  • This systemic difference leads to vastly higher capitalization and ticket prices on Broadway, indicating that its financial struggles will continue without significant policy intervention and public funding.
    — Katie North, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • As for his personal life, Eric has been open about his struggles with substance abuse.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 29 July 2026
Definition of struggles
Noun
  • Muse documents the prompts, approvals and models used across a production, while Copyright Guardian checks generated material for potential conflicts.
    — Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Talking through everyday responsibilities and standards for shared spaces helps prevent many of the conflicts couples report in their first year of cohabiting.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2026
Definition of conflicts
Noun
  • According to Squawka, only six players won more aerial duels than him in the Premier League last season.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • As with many Latin American and African teams, Paraguay defend deep and are extremely physical in duels and aerial battles.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026
Definition of duels
Noun
  • Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian military facilities and periodic incursions into villages outside the buffer zone, which have sometimes led to violent confrontations with residents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • Additional confrontations and standoffs also occurred in Sikkim.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026
Definition of confrontations
Noun
  • The 20-year-old Venezuelan expertly controlled the ball with space to work, dribbled into the box, cut to his left and tucked it between Cleveland and the far post for his sixth MLS goal and 10th in all competitions this year.
    — Josh Gross, Daily News, 26 July 2026
  • Quarterback competitions in several cities Tagovailoa and Penix will compete in Atlanta.
    — Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
Definition of competitions
Noun
  • Since that film, things have only grown more dire, with wars also raging in Gaza and Iran.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 21 July 2026
  • Except that Finley won’t entertain the possibility that American exhaustion with wars predates TikTok.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of wars

Browse Nearby Words

tugs
tugs-of-war
tuile
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Cite this Entry

“Tugs-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tugs-of-war. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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