TUG-OF-WAR Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

tug-of-war

noun

ˌtəg-ə(v)-ˈwȯr

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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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 tug-of-war TikTokers Reflected On The Legacy Of TikTok Despite being caught in the middle of a geopolitical tug-of-war, TikTok is beloved by many internet users, ever since the pandemic pushed millions of bored Americans to discover a new digital frontier. —

Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025 The Games also saw the debut of boxing and freestyle wrestling, sports that have clung to the Summer Olympics until the present day, along with long-since-forgotten croquet and tug-of-war events. —

Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 Throughout his term, Biden felt the tug-of-war between his White House inner circle and his family members. —

Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025 So there's a real tug-of-war between being grateful, and feeling destitute and rudderless. —

Bill Chappell, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tug-of-war

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war

Noun

Now, two years later, James was glad to be at the bar with his dad, despite the rivalry.

— Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 10 Feb. 2025
In the midst of this, Larson also has a healthy rivalry brewing with Christopher Bell, as both frequently find themselves in exciting finishes on dirt tracks and other formats.

— Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025