as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a duel for the title of captain of the team
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of duel
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Ragen is a steady bedrock, winning 67% of his aerial duels while being more difficult to dribble past than most in his position.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2024
The pair had been dueling each other for three weeks, maintaining a mind-boggling level of concentration during that time, for any momentary lapse could cost them the game.
—Issy Ronald, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for duel 
Noun
There are no gilded gates here, but there is one heck of a party, complete with serenading busts, ballroom dancers, excitable opera singers, drunken buffoonery and portraits locked in an endless duel.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Ragen is a steady bedrock, winning 67% of his aerial duels while being more difficult to dribble past than most in his position.
—Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
New Mexico's dueling law Punishment for tripping a horse
No improper use of the national or state anthem
1.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2024
The pair had been dueling each other for three weeks, maintaining a mind-boggling level of concentration during that time, for any momentary lapse could cost them the game.
—Issy Ronald, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for duel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duel
Noun
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While opposed by every government in the region, ISIS-K has exploited insecurity and international rivalries to entrench itself as one of the world's deadliest and most unpredictable non-state actors in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
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But Kendrick did not have to straddle a white-hot rivalry like Velazquez.—
Matt Baker,
The Athletic,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Emhoff’s portfolio as the first Second Gentleman included representing the U.S. at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and numerous other diplomatic events, and leading the administration’s work combatting antisemitism.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
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Educators have long relied on Holocaust curricula to combat antisemitism.—
Mark Treyger,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, more borrower-friendly regulations for the Borrower Defense to Repayment program remain stuck in a legal battle.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Rose served in the band from its inception in 1977 to 2017, after Willis regained 50 percent of the copyright to the band in a protracted legal battle.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has confirmed the deployment of troops from North Korea to fight Ukrainian forces.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
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After initially joining the Sky on a training camp contract, Carter fought her way into the starting lineup last season.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The film doesn’t paint him as a cautionary tale, treat him like a metaphor, or revel in the spectacle of his struggles.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2025
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Sly Stone's struggles with cocaine have been well documented, even, at times, eclipsing his achievements as an artist.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Now after not knowing if her career was over, Prince could contend for an All-American spot, just like Van Lith, who is averaging 18.3 points and a career-high 6.2 assists.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Jan. 2025
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The suit, submitted in U.S. District Court, contends that Black voters, who represent nearly one-third of the county's electorate, face significant barriers to electing candidates of their choice under the current system.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Making better use of A.I., Mr. Burns said, is crucial to the U.S. competition with China.—
Julian E. Barnes,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
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Howe’s men will share the club record of nine consecutive victories across all competitions with Kevin Keegan’s vintage (May to September 1994) and Rafa Benitez’s Championship-winning side (September to November 2016).—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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An Israeli soldier was injured in the confrontation, the military said.—
Matthew Mpoke Bigg,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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Prosecutors say Scott, a Bradenton man, was among the first rioters to initiate physical confrontations with police on the Capitol steps, helping to lead the mob that breached the building.—
Michael Moore Jr.,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near duel
Cite this Entry
“Duel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duel. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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