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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rival
Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025
Now that’s a golden goal The US defeated arch rival Canada 4-3 in a nail-bitter matchup on Sunday and won the women’s ice hockey world championships.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2025
But while the Gemstones themselves have embraced Kelvin and his coming out, the rest of the world — particularly rival preacher Vance Simkins (Stephen Dorff), Kelvin’s competition for the ridiculous title of Top Christ-Following Man — is more critical.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025
PC Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Bloomberg | Getty Images Shares of LVMH plunged 8% on Tuesday, at times losing its position as world’s largest luxury firm to rival Hermès after an unexpected decline in first-quarter sales.
—Jenni Reid,karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
In the government's view, this forced rivals to nibble around the edges after being locked out by Google's contracts.
—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025
Now that’s a golden goal The US defeated arch rival Canada 4-3 in a nail-bitter matchup on Sunday and won the women’s ice hockey world championships.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The 10-episode first season, starring Minka Kelly and Josh Duhamel, followed the push-and-pull struggles of rival ranching families in the titular Texas town, and has viewers clamoring for more.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2025
But while the Gemstones themselves have embraced Kelvin and his coming out, the rest of the world — particularly rival preacher Vance Simkins (Stephen Dorff), Kelvin’s competition for the ridiculous title of Top Christ-Following Man — is more critical.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
Color reproduction, in particular, is wide and accurate, rivaling many high-end phone screens.
—PC Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Bloomberg | Getty Images Shares of LVMH plunged 8% on Tuesday, at times losing its position as world’s largest luxury firm to rival Hermès after an unexpected decline in first-quarter sales.
—Jenni Reid,karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
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Just because of his style, Muhammad hasn't been much of a finisher to date in his MMA career, but he's got the kind of style that's great for breaking down opponents over time.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Similarly, no Villa player has received as many passes in high areas, with Emery constructing a build-up style designed to funnel the ball past the opponents’ midfield and in to Rogers.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Among users of listings apps, Zillow commands 64% of all traffic, more than four times its closest competitor, Realtor.com.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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Apple is also facing risks from the ongoing Google antitrust lawsuit by the Department of Justice, with Google potentially impacting Apple’s services business, and continues to face questioning about its artificial intelligence strategy as compared to its competitors, Nispel said.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Durbin’s decision to leave kickstarts what is expected to be a competitive primary among Illinois Democrats who are looking to succeed him.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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Our system is designed to create competitive opportunity across the league where every team, if well-managed, has a chance to compete for a championship.—
Morten Stig Jensen,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Then the Fire, in an independent Central Hockey League, competed at the Fort Worth Convention Center from 1992 to 1999.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
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In addition to the teams that advanced to the finals, select competitors from other schools will compete in the individual finals despite their teams not advancing.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In Harvard’s 2017 and 2020 youth polls, congressional Democrats had significantly higher approval ratings than their GOP counterparts or Trump.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Apr. 2025
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The British Foreign Office confirmed that ministerial Ukraine peace talks with U.S. and European counterparts were postponed and downgraded to behind-the-scenes meetings with officials.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The foes have made constitutional claims, environmental claims, procedural claims.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
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Giant games ahead as IM plays CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals this Thursday at Vancouver and April 30 vs. the same foe in Fort Lauderdale, with an MLS home match vs. Dallas in between next Sunday.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Chicago Cubs have done a lot to shape their team into a postseason contender over the last few months, and, to this point, it's paid off quite well.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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Cleveland would be a sizable underdog to Boston in a potential ECF, but this team is a legit contender.—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, competing services are on the launchpad, including from rival billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Amazon.—
Jeremy Bogaisky,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Washington may face even greater competing crises today than in 2005, when Bush launched the country’s influenza strategy.—
Caitlin Rivers,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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