as in dynamic
having or marked by a strong desire to win or be better than others
The two siblings shared a rivalrous but ultimately loving relationship.
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Recent Examples of rivalrous
The rivalrous power dynamic between Jones and frontman Jagger is captured in brilliant subtlety in the glances between them during an impromptu interview.
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Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Nov. 2023
A little more than a year ago, Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari and Louisville men’s basketball coach Chris Mack were publicly exchanging rivalrous barbs ahead of the 2020-21 season, a season which saw the Cardinals defeat the Wildcats.
—Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, 28 Jan. 2022
Every great day is like every other, all the Barbies are sparkling and chipper, and the Kens in this world are their rivalrous, doe-eyed admirers.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2023
But dealing with my rivalrous siblings, the pedantries and the cliques, the teasing and the treacheries, strengthened me and taught me to be an attentive listener, with a kind of watchfulness and negotiating skills that were invaluable to me as a traveller, especially in hostile places.
—Paul Theroux, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2021
See all Example Sentences for rivalrous 
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Nov. 2023
A little more than a year ago, Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari and Louisville men’s basketball coach Chris Mack were publicly exchanging rivalrous barbs ahead of the 2020-21 season, a season which saw the Cardinals defeat the Wildcats.
—Hayes Gardner, The Courier-Journal, 28 Jan. 2022
Every great day is like every other, all the Barbies are sparkling and chipper, and the Kens in this world are their rivalrous, doe-eyed admirers.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2023
But dealing with my rivalrous siblings, the pedantries and the cliques, the teasing and the treacheries, strengthened me and taught me to be an attentive listener, with a kind of watchfulness and negotiating skills that were invaluable to me as a traveller, especially in hostile places.
—Paul Theroux, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2021
See all Example Sentences for rivalrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalrous
Adjective
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No matter: Even with Jimmy Horn Jr. sidelined, Saturday again proved few teams have the secondary depth to properly cover all of the Buffs’ dynamic pass-catchers.Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
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McCaffrey was dynamic as a runner and receiver, and without him, one wonders if San Francisco would have been in this game at all.Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The Italian actress had been narrating HBO’s adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novels, about the lives of two book-loving, quietly competitive friends from a poor Naples neighborhood, since its first episode in 2018.Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
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Since 2020, the housing market in Mesa has ratcheted up to one of the most competitive in the country, with a Competition Index at or near the maximum for most of 2024.Jasmine Cui, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Allegedly, the smartphone vendor can only accept the rival bids if Corning fails to match the price.Michael Kan, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
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The Lions took control of the NFC North, beating the rival Green Bay Packers 24-14 in one of the biggest NFL games of the season.Don Yaeger, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Tonight: Show respect. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) ★★★★ Discussions with partners, spouses and even members of the general public will be lively today.Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2024
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In the last year, Chea says she’s worked one or two events per month, with each gig involving two to three hours of shucking oysters for party guests and entertaining them with lively conversation.Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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And Powell made clear that the Fed is determined to maintain its statutory independence from Congress and the Presidency.Peter Green, Quartz, 9 Nov. 2024
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Appointment or not, all were determined to make it to the border and eventually Southern California.Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near rivalrous
Cite this Entry
“Rivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalrous. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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