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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of duel
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
At a party, Onegin gets a bit handsy with his friend’s bride-to-be and Lensky has no choice, presumably, but to challenge the other man to a duel.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
In Black Panther, Killmonger’s father T’Chaka was killed by T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) father for smuggling vibranium out of Wakanda, prompting him to duel T’Challa for the throne.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duel
Noun
Our last playoff game was also a pitcher’s duel.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
At a party, Onegin gets a bit handsy with his friend’s bride-to-be and Lensky has no choice, presumably, but to challenge the other man to a duel.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Verb
When fans arrive at Citi Field to see new Mets ace Freddy Peralta duel NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes on Thursday, they’ll be greeted by the same familiar voice that has been greeting them every Opening Day for years.
—Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
In Black Panther, Killmonger’s father T’Chaka was killed by T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) father for smuggling vibranium out of Wakanda, prompting him to duel T’Challa for the throne.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duel
Noun
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But when rivalry between sororities escalates and a body is found, ambition, loyalty, and sisterhood collide with deadly consequences.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
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The oldest rivalry in the NFL doesn’t include a team from Green Bay.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Medical experts and substance abuse prevention advocates say the vaccine could eventually become another tool to help combat a crisis that continues to claim tens of thousands of lives each year.—
Gino Vicci,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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To combat this, be sure to properly wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf at night to help your style last as long as possible.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
18 June 2026
Noun
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After several years as an orphan, Pumphrey died in a South Caroline pine forest on August 16, 1780, in what was one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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Aegon was severely injured by Aemond and Vhagar in that battle.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Starmer has vowed to fight any leadership contest, deepening the sense of crisis within the Labour Party.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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Police said the bail agent and driver fought, and the agent fired one round, with the bullet striking the suspect in the arm.—
Hannah McIlree,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Noun
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The couple also has been open about their struggle with IVF in recent years.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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The family’s legal struggles have loomed large over the last several years, but Steven says two moments in particular stand out as the most difficult.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Its 33-40 record is better than that of the Tigers and Royals, two teams expected to contend in 2026.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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The District contends that the County lacks the legal authority to take additional funds from local schools.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Measles has spread as a result of travel to international sports competitions before.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Their visit coincides with an event marking one year to the start of the Invictus Games, the biennial sporting competition Harry founded more than a decade ago.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Verb
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More prestigious films continued to wrestle with the paranoia of the Nixon era.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
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There is little evidence that students are wrestling deeply with ideas.—
Robert B. Tucker,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duel. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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