1
as in equivalent
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
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2
as in opponent
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 competitor
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
as in competitive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of rival
Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 16 Dec. 2024
Behind quarterback Blake Horvath – who is expected to be fully healthy and ready to play on Saturday after some injury woes in the second half of the season – the Midshipmen are hoping to match their top rivals yard-for-yard on the ground.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Jimmy Durkin, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
Albertsons on Wednesday called off its $24.6 billion merger with Kroger, a day after a judge temporarily blocked the union, and sued the rival grocery chain for breach of contract.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2024
William Gavin, Quartz, 9 Dec. 2024
Thousands of fans from all over the world tuned in to these unofficial livestreams every night of the tour, commenting, screaming, and searching for Swift Easter eggs together — and thus creating a sense of community and joy rivaled only by the vibes of an actual concert.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rival 
Noun
Windsor and East Catholic didn’t have to play each other until mid-February last season and then the two CCC rivals played each other twice in two weeks, with Windsor winning the regular season game, 77-73 and the CCC championship, 63-61.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 16 Dec. 2024
Behind quarterback Blake Horvath – who is expected to be fully healthy and ready to play on Saturday after some injury woes in the second half of the season – the Midshipmen are hoping to match their top rivals yard-for-yard on the ground.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
He’s been personally focused on things like individual player performance and Canucks systems, and it’s been from the perspective of an assistant coach working for a rival team conducting a pre-scout on the Canucks to help prepare his team for two head-to-head matchups per season.
—Jimmy Durkin, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
Albertsons on Wednesday called off its $24.6 billion merger with Kroger, a day after a judge temporarily blocked the union, and sued the rival grocery chain for breach of contract.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
The Max is a rival to Porsche’s Taycan EV, while the Ultra has been priced to rival Tesla’s Model S Plaid.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 9 Dec. 2024
Thousands of fans from all over the world tuned in to these unofficial livestreams every night of the tour, commenting, screaming, and searching for Swift Easter eggs together — and thus creating a sense of community and joy rivaled only by the vibes of an actual concert.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
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Again, is this Kansas City’s credit or the opponents’ blame?Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
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Since the announcement of Patel’s nomination, most concern has centered on the idea that, under his leadership, the F.B.I. would launch criminal investigations of Trump’s political opponents and media critics.Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Meanwhile, competitors including WeRide and Pony.ai in China, and Alphabet’s Waymo in the U.S. are already operating commercial robotaxi fleets and services.Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
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Her historic achievement at Kansas Speedway as the highest-placing female debut driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, coupled with her 27 top-10 finishes in the ARCA Menards Series, set her apart as a formidable competitor in the field.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Scenes from the natural world offer a meditative respite from the competitive fervor, exploring what else has meaning for Alexey: the health of the oceans.Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 8 Dec. 2024
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Buy Now These Goodreads Choice Awards Winners Also Made PEOPLE's Book Picks 02 of 10 'Intermezzo' by Sally Rooney After their father’s death, brothers Peter, a lawyer, and Ivan, a competitive chess player, navigate very different relationships.Lizz Schumer, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This put pressure on the industry to develop technological solutions as companies competed to develop better products.Susan Solomon, WIRED, 14 Dec. 2024
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Looking ahead to 2025, Muniz will compete full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 33 Ford F-150 for Reaume Brothers Racing.Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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New data from TransUnion shows Zoomers are using credit cards to make ends meet more than their Millennial counterparts did at the same stage of life.Lindsey Downing, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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Negro said the research did not investigate hunting success in relation to plumage color, but earlier research had suggested that whiter barn owls were more efficient hunters than their darker counterparts during a full moon.Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Leaders looking at 2025 want to incorporate AI as a friend, not a foe, to enable greater efficiency, output and growth.Chris Westfall, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
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This game against a potential playoff foe was somewhat of a litmus test for the Seahawks, who handled business coming out of the bye week with wins over the Cardinals (twice), 49ers and Jets.Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Upside is something the Nationals and White Sox are hoping for with a pitcher not a contender.David O'Brien, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
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In an awards season that is looking pretty wicked on a number of levels, the Golden Globes pulled back the curtain on some magical contenders this morning.Dominic Patten, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Having an affordable and competing way to watch movies at home has changed some moviegoers’ habits.Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
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Both militant groups are active in the region and have issued competing claims in thee past.Riaz Khan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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