as in competition
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
Will this rivalry ever return to the heights of the start of the decade?
—
Sam Lee, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Having another city on the East Coast would potentially make travel easy and could build rivalries with franchises in New York, Washington and Connecticut.
—Doug Feinberg, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2025
The Spartans and Fresno State have already agreed to continue their rivalry with a six-game non-league series beginning in 2026.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Sam Lee, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
Having another city on the East Coast would potentially make travel easy and could build rivalries with franchises in New York, Washington and Connecticut.
—Doug Feinberg, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2025
The Spartans and Fresno State have already agreed to continue their rivalry with a six-game non-league series beginning in 2026.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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The biggest victories in the inflation battle already have occurred, Hoyt said.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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The ongoing legal battles over Trump's executive orders are expected to continue, with further court challenges and appeals likely.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Michelle Cooper, 22, winger (Kansas City Current) Another USWNT rookie, Cooper showed her ability to defend along the front line last season, ranking ninth among wingers and attacking midfielders by winning 50.3% of her duels.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
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California’s Capitol has seen countless conflicts between economic interests, but few match the intensity of a duel between the fast food industry and labor unions that seemingly ended two years ago with compromise legislation raising the minimum wage to $20.—
Dan Walters,
Orange County Register,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The rampant bird flu's effect on egg prices, her own gout struggle and microplastics.—
Lindsay Kimble,
People.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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Volpe immersed herself in research before making the film, accompanying nurses on hospital shifts to understand their daily struggles.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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President Bill Clinton and U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair both recently contributed commentary for an episode that will examine conflict in the Middle East, with Frost interviewing Yasser Arafat, Menachem Begin, Benjamin Netanyahu, and other key players.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2025
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The 4-1/2-hour meeting in Riyadh marked a crucial moment - the first time that U.S. and Russian officials have sat down together to discuss ways to halt the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two.—
Humeyra Pamuk and Pesha Magid,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Considered an unsung hero of modern warfare, Selanee saved the lives of two U.S. journalists and shielded hundreds of Afghans stranded at Kandahar Air Base.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2025
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What To Know There have been tensions over NATO accusing Russia of sabotaging vessels in the Baltic Sea and claims of hybrid warfare around what is dubbed the NATO Lake as the alliance's members move to combat Moscow's belligerence in the region.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Her fights are not just physical confrontations but manifestations of the battles within her.—
Kevin Cassidy,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
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The gunman later died after a confrontation and shootout with police.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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What happened then, and why, is a matter of contention, but the result is that Terry’s brother, Kent, ended up in control of Black’s Barbecue and the family split into two factions that, more than a decade later, are still not on speaking terms.—
Rachel Monroe,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
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After Michigan State broke the conference title race wide open by winning at Michigan on Friday night, Wisconsin had a chance to step into the thick of contention.—
Jim Root,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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