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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of rival
Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
Most Kansas City sports fans wouldn’t consider Houston to be a major rival, but there’s quite a bit of history.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025
Karl Vick, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
In recent weeks, a slew of top newsroom stars defected from the Post to rival publications.
—Sara Fischer, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
EW.com, 9 Jan. 2025
In addition to home-and-away series against their AFC West rivals Kansas City, Denver and Las Vegas, the Chargers will travel to Dallas, Jacksonville, the New York Giants, Tennessee and Miami.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rival 
Noun
Shortly after the election, Trump tapped Musk, along with his former 2024 GOP primary rival, Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead DOGE, an advisory board focused on cutting government spending.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
Most Kansas City sports fans wouldn’t consider Houston to be a major rival, but there’s quite a bit of history.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The government of the Northeast African country has ceased to function, the first casualty of a feud between rival generals whose war has also shattered the economy and driven farmers from their land, placing half the population of 50 million at risk of starvation.
—Karl Vick, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
In recent weeks, a slew of top newsroom stars defected from the Post to rival publications.
—Sara Fischer, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
And drama this Boston queen will bring to the competition, according to her sisters — including Crystal Envy, who tells EW Kori has an Untucked moment that rivals the iconic season 11 showdown between Silky Nutmeg Ganache and Yvie Oddly.
—EW.com, 9 Jan. 2025
In addition to home-and-away series against their AFC West rivals Kansas City, Denver and Las Vegas, the Chargers will travel to Dallas, Jacksonville, the New York Giants, Tennessee and Miami.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
The teams’ defenses kept their opponents in check through the first quarter and a half.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Thoughts now turn to Trudeau’s successor, with Conservative opponent Pierre Poilievre the favorite, although general elections won’t take place for some time.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
This democratization of deception tools means threats can come from anywhere—disgruntled employees, competitors or opportunistic individuals—not just sophisticated state actors or cybercrime rings.—
Joseph Ours,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The latter were upset that Forward had essentially acquired a freight forwarding competitor.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
When perks are absent or vaguely referenced in job postings, high-value candidates may dismiss opportunities—or assume the package is less competitive.—
Cynthia Pong, JD,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
-
That said, recent history suggests the most ravenous cap eaters do not inherently prevent an organization from remaining competitive.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Messi will also compete for other domestic cups and hopefully steer clear of injuries like those that hampered him at stages last year.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
-
Croatian star Donna Vekic, for instance, is competing in Australia without her coach Pam Shriver, who is back in LA supporting her family.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Economically, adults in relationships tend to fare better than their single counterparts.—
Janae Bowens,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Research has consistently shown that women are held to higher standards than their male counterparts and penalized for exhibiting the very traits—ambition, assertiveness, confidence—celebrated in men.—
Aniela Unguresan,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The title is known for being a time-consuming game that requires hours of grinding to level up one's character to defeat foes.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
-
The mythology surrounding James himself likewise had many authors, all converging toward portraying him as a dashing foe of the bankers and railroad barons who had come to represent the inequities of America’s Gilded Age.—
Joshua Hunt,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Adam Peters did not write a how-to front-office guide, though a career spent with Super Bowl-winning franchises and title contenders has the makings of a solid outline.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Ken Martin, the Minnesota Democratic chairman and a contender to lead the party’s national committee, stumped on Saturday in Loudoun and canvassed neighborhoods in the subfreezing temperatures.—
Reid J. Epstein,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Having an affordable and competing way to watch movies at home has changed some moviegoers’ habits.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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