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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Recent Examples of tug-of-war
When the moon suffered from a tug-of-war between Earth and the sun, the melting would have caused lunar rocks and zircons to melt and reform, providing a younger age that doesn't necessarily reflect when the moon itself was born.
—
Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 8 May 2025
In the annual tug-of-war over public spending across the sprawling San Diego County bureaucracy, public safety and social services trumped land-use planning, the environment and capital projects by $180 million in a draft budget released Thursday.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2025
To simplify things, there's a great battle of tug-of-war going on between President Trump and other world leaders.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Think about the long-term purpose of your company, and align your strategy with long-term values rather than short-term, tug-of-war pressures.
—Iese Business School, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 8 May 2025
In the annual tug-of-war over public spending across the sprawling San Diego County bureaucracy, public safety and social services trumped land-use planning, the environment and capital projects by $180 million in a draft budget released Thursday.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2025
To simplify things, there's a great battle of tug-of-war going on between President Trump and other world leaders.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Think about the long-term purpose of your company, and align your strategy with long-term values rather than short-term, tug-of-war pressures.
—Iese Business School, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war
Noun
-
This is a space that is ripe for standardization, the entry of new players in the market, and more vendor rivalries and drama.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
20 May 2025
-
At times, the rivalry between the players has become the biggest topic of discussion in sports and eclipsed the athletic world, raising issues of race and gender equality.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
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As a 60-person battle royale, matches can be extremely long and, in tournament play, repeat over and over for hours until a winning team can be crowned.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2025
-
Vance met with the late Pope Francis on April 20, less than 24 hours before the pope died following a weeks-long battle with double pneumonia and other health issues.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Denver won Game 3 because Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray each scored at least 20 points, which went a long way toward subduing the struggles of Jokić.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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This news comes on the same day as the King’s niece Zara Tindall has opened up about the struggles experienced by members of the British Royal Family.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
11 May 2025
Noun
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The event is the world's biggest music competition, watched by more than 160 million people across the world.—
John Revill,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Evenings bring the magic of Highlander’s signature programs—think talent shows, campfires, and spirited cabin competitions.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
18 May 2025
Noun
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The first challenger, selected at random, must choose one of his or her neighboring opponents to go head-to-head in an epic quiz duel in the opponent’s category.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
10 May 2025
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In each episode, the first challenger, selected at random, must choose one of his or her neighboring opponents to go head-to-head in an epic quiz duel in the opponent’s category.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
Both sides have ramped up cross-border drone warfare, often going deeper into each country's territory.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
With missiles tracking targets from miles away, nations are pouring resources into stealth, advanced avionics, and electronic warfare—reshaping doctrines for a battlefield no longer visible to the naked eye.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Noun
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The White House has said there is no conflict and that the president is acting in the interests of the American public and not his own.—
Susan Heavey,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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The final three episodes take place in 1 BBY – just before the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – and show viewers the final moments leading up to the first significant conflict between the Rebellion and the Empire.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
While Ratcliffe seems to thrive in conflict, the Glazers do not like confrontation.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the gravest confrontation between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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