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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rival
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025
These minor setbacks pale in comparison to the challenges faced by rivals like Man City, whose struggles can be attributed to a lack of tactical flexibility — a stark contrast to Chelsea’s adaptable approach.
—Julia Ranney, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
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
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
Noun
Freshman Callum Tung stopped 22 of 23 shots in goal for the Huskies, who will face either Hockey East rival Maine or Penn State for the chance to go to the Frozen Four, the national semifinals, in two weeks.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025
These minor setbacks pale in comparison to the challenges faced by rivals like Man City, whose struggles can be attributed to a lack of tactical flexibility — a stark contrast to Chelsea’s adaptable approach.
—Julia Ranney, New York Times, 28 Mar. 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
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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
-
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
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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
-
And the vessels two rotational captains—Chris Gardner and Christian Trotter, both ex-Maltese Falcon skippers—compete over who can sail the yacht the most.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
26 Mar. 2025
-
By contrast, the finalists in this year’s UEFA Champions League — a revamped and extraordinarily well-funded competition in its own right — will compete for $47m (€43.5m).—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 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
-
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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