as in competition
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
The Celtics have won 10 of their last 11 meetings with the Heat, including last year’s first-round playoff series, dominating what had been one of the East’s most competitive rivalries.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
The rural characters, beneath the sway of the hovering Empire, represent human rivalry.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
This is one of the most sacred rivalries in college basketball, if not all of sports.
—Zachery Eanes, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Many political leaders and analysts hoped that multilateralism and new efforts toward collective security would diminish the relevance of zero-sum geopolitical rivalries for good.
—Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
The rural characters, beneath the sway of the hovering Empire, represent human rivalry.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025
This is one of the most sacred rivalries in college basketball, if not all of sports.
—Zachery Eanes, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Many political leaders and analysts hoped that multilateralism and new efforts toward collective security would diminish the relevance of zero-sum geopolitical rivalries for good.
—Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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The event will feature designers from around the country taking part in the fashion show competition, with the ultimate prize of designing a special apparel collection with Her Universe.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Mar. 2025
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At a time when utility rates continue to climb — particularly distribution charges which have risen by double digits over the past decade — the new law removes competition and locks customers into a monopoly system that is already out of control.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Claude can also integrate multiple pieces of similar knowledge into pretty elegant battle strategies, even extending those strategies into long-term plans for catching and managing teams of multiple creatures for future battles.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
21 Mar. 2025
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The 65-year-old Augustinian friar and his three fellow monks, who have dedicated their lives to silent prayer inside Florence’s Santo Spirito monastery, are preparing to go into battle over plans to open a luxury retirement home on the site.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The 26-year-old right-back covered 11.5 kilometres, had 43 sprints and 59 touches, and 70% of his duels and 100% of his one-v-one situations to help Leipzig secure a crucial 2-0 win in what remains a tight race for the Champions League spots.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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Implementing that into my play, which is being more dynamic, getting into tackles more, winning more duels offensively and defensively.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For all of their defensive struggles — particularly in defensive counter-attacking moments — this season, City’s dedication to hoovering up loose balls is still strong when the chips are down.—
Mark Carey,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
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This not only fosters appreciation for the cuisine but also sparks curiosity about the traditions, struggles and resilience of the people behind it.—
Liza B. Zimmerman,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Their conflict reached its end at AEW's Revolution event in March 2025, where Strickland ultimately defeated Ricochet.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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These trade conflicts have triggered worries about stagflation, a combination of stagnant growth and elevated inflation.—
Axios,
Axios,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is the kind of ideological warfare DeSantis has already seen repeatedly rejected by judges — conservative judges who actually believe in the U.S. Constitution and free speech.—
Scott Maxwell,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2025
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This shift not only improves operational efficiency but also underscores the future of warfare: adaptable, decentralized, and less dependent on fossil fuels.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Death Takes Me appears to have been a stepping stone to a more explicitly political confrontation with violence—one that refuses resignation and demands justice.—
Nicolás Medina Mora,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2025
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On February 28, the president had a heated confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which resulted in Trump pausing military aid to Ukraine.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Some weeks are especially busy with new releases and bestsellers, which pushes some longtime favorites out of contention.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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That proverbial window of contention seemed to be open for Miami in 2023.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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