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

2 of 3

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
In at least one case, the governor has viewed an open presidential post as an opportunity to move a rival out of Tallahassee. Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025 Farley said if tariffs level the playing field in the States against foreign rivals, that's a good thing. Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Meanwhile, rival crime boss Richie Stevenson (Geoff Bell) threatens war if his missing son isn't found. Matt Cabral, EW.com, 30 Mar. 2025 In Gaiters and Dale’s theory of the crime, Barrientos-Quintana was a member of the Sureños 13 gang and had recently gotten into a fight with a member of a rival clique called South Side Raza. Jessica Lussenhop, ProPublica, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
There’s also been speculation that Microsoft has developed an in-house AI model that could rival ChatGPT. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025 Netflix’s transformation is one of the most remarkable in corporate history, rivaling those of Apple and Facebook. Brent Lang, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
  • That’s precisely why Boston is a matchup problem for nearly every opponent, but especially those with traditional drop-coverage big men.
    Shane Young, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Online video showed Turner took a knee in protest before her match against the opponent.
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Each frame is meticulously plotted by creator Mike White, the writer-director who moonlights as a reality show competitor (two cycles of The Amazing Race with his dad and one on Survivor, solo).
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The organizations that effectively manage change are more likely to outperform their competitors.
    Aliasgar Dohadwala, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Fine's race against Democratic candidate Josh Weil, a public school teacher, was considered more competitive than the special election in Florida's 1st Congressional District, although both are longtime Republican strongholds.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • His competitive spirit no question fits our personality.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Eventually, some programs may decide that trying to compete isn't worth the expense, said Sam Ehrlich, a professor at Boise State University who tracks college sports litigation.
    Becky Sullivan, NPR, 7 Apr. 2025
  • With Schar comfortable playing as a right or left-sided centre-half, in a back three and even as an emergency defensive midfielder, his versatility is important when looking to construct a squad robust enough to cope with competing across four fronts.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • He was joined by his Japanese counterpart, Gen Nakatani, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other officials at Saturday's Reunion of Honor event.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025
  • However, even Europe's largest funds can't match their U.S. counterparts.
    Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Still, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was impressed with his Yankees foes.
    Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
  • My body, equipped with the primordial fear of starvation, was a formidable foe.
    Emma Pattee, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Still, the Democratic contenders notched a symbolic victory when Valimont carried Escambia County — a longtime GOP stronghold in presidential elections — a rare blue dot in the ruby-red district.
    Fin Daniel Gómez, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Multiple news outlets, including Politico, NPR and Bloomberg, have also reported that Oracle — TikTok’s current US technology partner — is a top contender to take over the app’s US operations.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Employees sometimes resent being affiliated with the larger department because of its sprawling, competing and sometimes politically charged activities.
    Frank J. Cilluffo, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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