as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the effort to get their teenage son to keep his room clean is a constant tug-of-war
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Recent Examples of tug-of-war
Later this year, the DES collaboration plans to publish observations of how galaxies and matter have clustered over the eons, a process that reflects the tug-of-war between gravity’s pull and dark energy’s push.
—
Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
In New York, state officials, advocates and the health care provider community have been engaged in a policy tug-of-war over efforts to protect consumers.
—Michelle Andrews, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
Boston’s mayoral race and the state Auditor’s tug-of-war with the state Legislature is teed-up for jokes at Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day breakfast.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
The answer will depend on the tug-of-war between an administration intent on upending the status quo and those fighting to preserve a federal role in public education.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
In New York, state officials, advocates and the health care provider community have been engaged in a policy tug-of-war over efforts to protect consumers.
—Michelle Andrews, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
Boston’s mayoral race and the state Auditor’s tug-of-war with the state Legislature is teed-up for jokes at Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day breakfast.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
The answer will depend on the tug-of-war between an administration intent on upending the status quo and those fighting to preserve a federal role in public education.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war
Noun
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What has endured and evolved, however, is a fierce rivalry in an event that is now huge business, watched by up to 250,000 in person, millions more on television (the races are being screened live on BBC One) and sponsored by French luxury brand Chanel, no less.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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While known for his exceptional mic skills, Punk also consistently delivered in-ring performances, with his rivalry against John Cena and Rey Mysterio producing some of his most iconic bouts.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Rather, Awuah-Darko wants his story to reach people, whether through Instagram or this article, who feel alone in their battles, even if that comes with backlash.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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But in recent months, the city of 45,000 has become a reluctant microcosm of the larger battle playing out, in which a shortage of 70,000 houses, apartments and condos in metro Denver has kept home prices high.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Young’s struggles against the Heat continued early in Friday’s contest, scoring 14 points while shooting just 3 of 14 from the field and 1 of 5 on threes through the first three quarters.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
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Keith and Mark Newhouse of Newhouse Creative Group understand these struggles firsthand.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The major driver for the decline in coal use is the economic competition with cheaper and cleaner fuels, such as natural gas and renewables, Ryna Cui, research director for the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland, told ABC News.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Another directorial debut, the French drama Partir un Jour from first-timer Amélie Bonnin, will open this year’s festival, screening out of competition.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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With a brewing 60 meter sprint race between NFL champion Tyreek Hill and Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles locked in for sometime later this year, conversations have been running amok as to whether the crossover duel will actually field a competitive race.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Snell duels with Tarik Skubal, the incumbent AL Triple-Crowner and last year’s unanimous AL Cy Young.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Russia is very adept at what is known as hybrid warfare, a term that broadly refers to tactics designed to undermine or destabilize opponents, but falling short of open conflict.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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It's often said that throughout the history of warfare, whoever has the superior weapons wins.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The pope's Easter message included a call for an end to conflicts in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.—
Phoebe Natanson,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2025
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There are volunteer opportunities, a teen club, and during the current conflict, the Hesed has become a hub for delivering tons of humanitarian aid, trauma care, and kinship.—
Maria Zimina,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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During the confrontation, the two men were shot, and both died on scene, officers said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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