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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 rival
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Highlighted in bright red text, and boxed by a red outline, was a game plan for attacking one of Becerra’s top rivals in the California governor’s race, billionaire hedge fund founder turned environmental activist Tom Steyer.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The logline concerns two rival spies who cross paths in a Lamaze class as their wives become fast friends.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
Launched in 2022 with an initial $400 million investment, LIV Golf looked to rival the PGA Tour by featuring $250 million in prize purses, initially threatening to shake the foundations of the sport.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
In many cases, bankrupt airlines are purchased by solvent rivals, which has led to widespread consolidation.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Highlighted in bright red text, and boxed by a red outline, was a game plan for attacking one of Becerra’s top rivals in the California governor’s race, billionaire hedge fund founder turned environmental activist Tom Steyer.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Adjective
His first playoff run ended in disaster — a first-round exit at the hands of the rival Timberwolves, who finished the series without their starting backcourt available.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
The logline concerns two rival spies who cross paths in a Lamaze class as their wives become fast friends.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Verb
Its growth was rivaled by Getty Images, which strove to remain in competition with Corbis.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
Launched in 2022 with an initial $400 million investment, LIV Golf looked to rival the PGA Tour by featuring $250 million in prize purses, initially threatening to shake the foundations of the sport.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
This area was ground zero for funneling OxyContin and its generic equivalent, oxycodone, to virtually every state east of the Mississippi.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
It is estimated that by successfully recycling these materials at scale, the kingdom could help reduce carbon emissions by a massive 615 million tons of CO2 equivalent.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
When President John Quincy Adams accepted Bolívar’s invitation, his opponents pounced.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
While the group has 13 instances of holding opponents to one earned run or fewer — including five when asked to cover at least three innings — the bullpen also has given up five runs or more in seven of 24 league games.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
This dynamic creates a survival-of-the-fittest scenario where smaller companies — who can’t afford to sit on piles of unsold metals — might be forced into the arms of larger competitors.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
4 May 2026
-
Travis Madeira, a fourth-generation lobsterman who founded the lobster-shipping business LobsterBoys with his brother, makes about 80% of his sales to Americans, unlike some competitors who primarily export.—
Matt Sedensky,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Although not pointedly, Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson attempted to put his team’s competitive first-round series against the Toronto Raptors into perspective, after last year’s opening-round sweep of the Heat, in the most lopsided series in terms of scoring margin in NBA history.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
In the competitive economy for people’s attention, the videos can help win looks and likes, potentially driving ad revenue for those who post them.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
His interest in the game sparked from watching his older brother, Nick, compete at Stagg and Joliet Junior College.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
Sasaki is one of three young pitchers at the back end of the rotation, along with right-hander Emmet Sheehan and left-hander Justin Wrobleski, who are competing for two spots once Snell returns.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Their Democratic counterparts have often lagged in comparison.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi pressed his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and refrain from resuming hostilities during a meeting in Beijing.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
These two Central Division foes know each other well.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
-
Jones won a close battle with Avery Tibbs of downstate Washington and fellow DuPage Valley Conference foe Danyella Mporokoso of Waubonsie Valley to win the award, as voted on by coaches and media statewide.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
While some contenders tasted nearly candied, the sugar here was just enough to balance the other flavors at play.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 May 2026
-
Green also mixed it up with Barkley, a longtime subject of Warriors fans’ ire because of his status as a holdout against the early Curry-Green-Klay Thompson Golden State teams’ viability as a true contender, citing their reliance on jumpshooting.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
