as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a duel for the title of captain of the team
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Recent Examples of duel
Katie Rife, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2025
The band close with their equally-traditional climax, the finale of the Abbey Road suite — complete with show-stopping three-way guitar duel.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2025
The memorandum comes as DeSantis tries to reassert his role in immigration enforcement amid a fierce back-and-forth with the Florida Legislature over dueling immigration bills that both aim to help President Donald Trump’s efforts to identify and deport immigrants who are in the country illegally.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duel
Noun
Younger audiences have fond memories of Ewan McGregor’s Obi-Wan Kenobi and the pod racing sequences — not to mention that awesome duel between Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2025
The band close with their equally-traditional climax, the finale of the Abbey Road suite — complete with show-stopping three-way guitar duel.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
Kevin Hassett Ashley Stringer | CNBC The dueling narratives come amid escalating legal battles over access to the Treasury Department’s highly sensitive payment systems, which members of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency team have sought and been granted.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2025
The memorandum comes as DeSantis tries to reassert his role in immigration enforcement amid a fierce back-and-forth with the Florida Legislature over dueling immigration bills that both aim to help President Donald Trump’s efforts to identify and deport immigrants who are in the country illegally.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duel
Noun
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After the goalless draw in one of soccer’s fiercest rivalries, the Portuguese manager was yet again outspoken in his press conference.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
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The rivalry between the two legends, both on and off the course, is well known.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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For haircare on the move, Hair Syrup’s range of treatment pre-wash hair oils blend all-natural ingredients to combat dryness and damage.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
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The cuts have focused on people who were not only combating false content online but also working on broader safeguards to protect elections from cyberattacks or other attempts to disrupt voting systems.—
Steven Lee Myers,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The movie, aka Episode III, takes place years after the onset of the Clone Wars, when the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2025
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Even if the odds of us winning the title are now vanishingly small, giving up now could put us at risk of getting dragged into a top 4 battle.—
James McNicholas,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Formulated with zinc pyrithione (this is what actively fights flaky skin), squalane (boosts shine), and sugar kelp extract (prevents inflammation and bacteria growth), this is a total powerhouse haircare product.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
26 Feb. 2025
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Russia has skirted around Pokrovsk, a city key to Ukrainian defenses in the east, rather than fighting inside the settlement.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Kansas has to do a good job communicating on ball screens — a struggle at various points this season — and force Texas Tech to take tough shots.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 Mar. 2025
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What To Know The pope has faced ongoing health struggles which have sparked speculation about decisions by the Catholic Church on the upcoming Easter celebrations.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Bishop contends that melanin, which produces skin, hair, and eye pigmentation, has almost supernatural powers enhanced by the sun.—
David Peisner,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
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Miami would be foolish to hold onto him as the team still looks to be multiple years away from contending for a postseason berth.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Tune in on Sunday to see which team will get the victory in this 2025 ICC Champions Trophy competition.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
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Sunday’s performance will kick off with Anthony, and will be followed by a set from Venezuelan comedian George Harris, the song competition, and Bacilos as the grand finale.—
Leila Cobo,
Billboard,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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During the race, a confrontation erupted between Sheldon Creed and Jesse Love.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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Whether through an in-ring appearance or a post-match confrontation, her involvement could set up a major WrestleMania feud, particularly within the women’s division.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Duel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duel. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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