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
Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025
However, the team did not oblige, and the building was lit up in the colors of the New York Giants’ rivals.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025
The shutdown of the TikTok app in the United States would be a boon to rival platforms including Meta’s Instagram, Google’s YouTube and Snapchat.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
Brad Adgate, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Furthermore, the island is the basis of Denmark’s sovereignty claim to the North Pole – rivaled by claims by Russia and Canada.
—Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rival 
Noun
With the 4-2 loss in the series finale, the Hawks’ all-time record against their Central Division rival dropped to 34-44-1-13.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025
However, the team did not oblige, and the building was lit up in the colors of the New York Giants’ rivals.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Sasaki signed with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers after reportedly engaging in heavy discussions with the Padres for weeks.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025
The shutdown of the TikTok app in the United States would be a boon to rival platforms including Meta’s Instagram, Google’s YouTube and Snapchat.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
The game featured intra division rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh, won by Baltimore 28-14.
—Brad Adgate, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Furthermore, the island is the basis of Denmark’s sovereignty claim to the North Pole – rivaled by claims by Russia and Canada.
—Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
The defense allowed 414 points, fifth most in the league, and surrendered a touchdown on 67.9% of opponent’s red-zone possessions, the third-worst rate in the NFL.—
Joe Reedy,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2025
-
On their run to the Super Bowl, the last (opponent’s) play of each win in the AFC playoff game was a turnover.—
James Boyd,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Fukuda added that Nippon TV maintained the largest ratings share in Japan for the ‘Golden Time’ category — equivalent to U.S. prime-time — in 2024, although was tied with a competitor.—
Sara Merican,
Deadline,
20 Jan. 2025
-
America’s competitors and adversaries are under real and growing pressure, even as their greater isolation draws them closer together.—
Jake Sullivan,
TIME,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Music's biggest stars are squaring off Sunday at an especially competitive Grammy ceremony.—
Adam Tamburin,
Axios,
31 Jan. 2025
-
The 2025 Caribbean Series is set to bring baseball's best to Mexicali, Mexico, as the annual tournament showcases some of the region's most passionate and competitive teams.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Grace grew up dancing recreationally in Topeka and joined her high school dance team to compete against other schools in the area.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Wilson, 36, then latched on with the Pittsburgh Steelers to compete with Justin Fields for the starting job this past season.—
Vincent Frank,
Forbes,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Another version of the Alaïa catsuit was also modeled during the 1991 fall runway by model Yasmeen Ghauri, while a version of its skirt counterpart — similar to the one Jenner wore — was shown off by model Nadège du Bospertus, per Vogue.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
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The research, published earlier this month in the British Journal of Psychiatry, found that men with ADHD die roughly seven years earlier, and women with ADHD die nine years earlier than their counterparts without an ADHD diagnosis.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Through the campaign, players will amass points to invest in the skill tree by defeating foes and finishing quests.—
Gieson Cacho,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
-
While negotiating the twists and turns of their romantic lives, Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen must also navigate the return of old foes, the loss of great loves, and the pain of transition from past dreams to present ones.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
He is widely seen as a potential presidential contender again in 2028.—
Laura Kelly,
The Hill,
20 Jan. 2025
-
What To Know In November, Trump announced that Ramaswamy, a 2024 GOP presidential contender, and billionaire Musk, one of the president-elect's most prominent supporters, would jointly lead the new department, which aims to increase government efficiency and reduce spending.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Having an affordable and competing way to watch movies at home has changed some moviegoers’ habits.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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