rival 1 of 3

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
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

rival

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adjective

rival

3 of 3

verb

as in to compete
to engage in a contest two longtime friends who have rivaled for the same things at every stage of their lives

Synonyms & Similar 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
Noun
After beginning the year as the most valuable company in the world, Apple now ranks third behind longtime rival Microsoft, another AI leader, and AI chipmaker Nvidia. Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025 The Royals entered the three-game series having won 10 consecutive games against their American League Central rivals. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2025
Adjective
Just three weeks after signing with the San Diego Wave, Adriana Leon made her debut for the club in a match against rival Angel City in Los Angeles. Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025 Musicians can’t upload music directly to Deezer or rival platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. Kelvin Chan, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
The deference the new administration afforded the Kremlin appeared to be rivaled only by its hostility toward its own national-security establishment. Andrew Ryvkin, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025 Elsewhere, Advanced Micro Devices unveiled its new AI server chip for 2026 at a company event Thursday, part of its attempt to rival Nvidia’s market-leading offering. Morgan Chittum,zev Fima, CNBC, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
  • The parade stirred up controversy for what opponents view as a politicization of the nation's armed forces and a break from U.S. democratic norms, and sparked an organized No Kings protest movement across the country on Saturday.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 15 June 2025
  • McNabb impressively suppressed opponents’ ability to generate shots and scoring chances despite playing difficult matchup minutes, with the Golden Knights surrendering just 1.79 goals against per 60 during his five-on-five shifts.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • In the Club’s eyes, Amazon has a technological edge over competitors like Walmart , the world’s largest retailer, making its grocery and everyday essentials push more compelling, said Zev Fima, portfolio analyst for the Club.
    Paulina Likos, CNBC, 25 June 2025
  • Unlike compensation packages that competitors can readily replicate, values alignment creates a distinctive organizational signature that strongly resists imitation—genuine congruence between how leaders navigate complex decisions and how your organization operates daily.
    Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Her second-longest-running release, Born This Way, held on the competitive ranking for just 60 frames.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Instead, under Trump, the United States is creating new gaps for China to exploit by withdrawing from international institutions and undermining U.S. competitive advantages, such as its global network of alliances and partnerships and its robust domestic research and innovation base.
    Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The Brief June 18, 2025 Updates on the Israel and Iran conflict, a case that could upend social media, and more 00:00 As a freshman in high school, Caroline Koziol competed in the Connecticut statewide championship, swimming the 100-yd.
    Charlotte Alter, Time, 18 June 2025
  • Many of those same states have also enacted measures prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in women's sports.
    June 18, CBS News, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • This means that some particles will decay in the normal world while their counterparts in the mirror would not.
    Zack Savitsky, Wired News, 22 June 2025
  • Liverpool have been in regular dialogue with their German counterparts this summer having signed Florian Wirtz, who officially joined the Premier League champions on Friday, and after triggering the release clause of full-back Jeremie Frimpong, whose arrival was announced last month.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The two longtime foes have traded direct strikes against one another since Israel launched a massive series of attacks against Iran last week, alleging that Tehran was secretly moving toward producing a nuclear weapon, a claim denied by Iranian officials.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
  • The open conflict sparked by Israel’s sudden barrage of attacks against Iran’s nuclear and military structure shows no signs of abating on the seventh day of hostilities between the two longtime foes that threatens to spiral into a wider, more dangerous regional war.
    Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Catherine Parenteau, currently ranked fourth in women’s singles and a top-five contender across doubles and mixed doubles, didn’t set out to become a professional pickleball player.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • The Green Bay Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur will enter the 2025 NFL season as a team many expect to be a contender in the NFC. Led by Jordan Love, the offense looks to be explosive with elite young talent at the wide receiver position.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sports are not just about competing but also relations.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • Leaders from both nations face mounting public pressure to show strength and seek revenge, and the heated rhetoric and competing claims could be a response to that pressure.
    Sheikh Saaliq, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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