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
Yet, there are major lessons here for rival studios in how Warner Bros, post Barbie, has been able to energize social media, and target digital ads, to create an unforeseen blockbuster. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025 The protests were met with rival rallies by left-wing parties and groups on the opposite side of Paris. Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
Scientists say the discovery rivals one of the largest discoveries of meteorites nearly 50 years prior. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025 And the country’s oldest operational producer—Yerevan Brandy, named for the country’s capital—is exporting products that rival some of the world’s best aged grape spirits. David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 30 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
  • If the season ended Thursday night, the teams would be first-round opponents, though the seeding shuffling is far from over.
    Khobi Price, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The organizations that effectively manage change are more likely to outperform their competitors.
    Aliasgar Dohadwala, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • It’s only been a year since the local chain opened its DFW Airport location, beating out big-league competitors like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 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
  • 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
  • Battery startups have been hit hard by the changing policy landscape, the slowing EV market, and the reality of competing with China's low-cost lithium-ion batteries.
    Katie Fehrenbacher, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Ukraine and Russia agreed on March 18 to stop attacking each other's energy facilities, although President Vladimir Putin declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire that his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump had hoped would be a first step toward a permanent peace deal.
    Reuters, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In a reciprocal show of respect, Lee handed over his ceremonial sword to Grant, only to have his counterpart return it.
    Made by History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • My body, equipped with the primordial fear of starvation, was a formidable foe.
    Emma Pattee, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Still, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was impressed with his Yankees foes.
    Brendan Kuty, The Athletic, 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
  • Meanwhile, competing services are on the launchpad, including from rival billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Amazon.
    Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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