rivals 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rivalsnext
plural of rival
1
as in counterparts
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 opponents
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 competitors
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

rivals

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rival
as in competes
to engage in a contest two longtime friends who have rivaled for the same things at every stage of their lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivals
  1. counterparts
  2. opponents
  3. competitors
  4. competes
  5. foes
  6. contenders
  7. contestants
  8. contends
Noun
  • These rival entities, designed to drain their counterparts of resources and influence, would serve as platforms for grandstanding rather than substantive cooperation.
    Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The Ukrainian president and his team would benefit from regular engagement with their Western counterparts on diplomatic strategy to avoid this kind of dissonance.
    Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of counterparts
Noun
  • As the Lightning enter the NHL’s three-day holiday break, Cooper said playing the Panthers on back-to-back nights was a great team-building opportunity after an early-season schedule that was light on Atlantic Division opponents.
    Eduardo A. Encina, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
  • But the Bucs finish at home against an easier pair of opponents (Panthers, Saints), so this race isn’t over.
    Jeff Howe and Austin Mock, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of opponents
Noun
  • The company offers better pay and benefits than its competitors, Starbucks said.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The key question is whether even large, combined entities like Honda and Nissan can keep up with newer competitors.
    River Akira Davis, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of competitors
Verb
  • Research from the Princeton Neuroscience Institute found that physical clutter competes for your attention, reducing focus and increasing stress.
    Maha Abouelenein, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The company competes with BitChute, Odysee, and YouTube, among other video-sharing platforms.
    Trefis Team, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of competes
Noun
  • Since then, the Giants have lost five more and been outscored 140-59 by their opponents, while Dallas has won four of five and outscored its foes, 137-111.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 23 Dec. 2024
  • On the other side, Nebraska faces off against fellow Big Ten titan Penn State in a clash of familiar foes.
    Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of foes
Noun
  • Luckily for the venerable streaming service, the first set of games features four contenders who have all clinched playoff spots.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Meanwhile, the contenders for the top seed in the AFC are starting to move up the rankings while the top teams in the NFC are showing some cracks.
    Josh Kendall, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of contenders
Noun
  • Out of 456 contestants that started in the competition, Gi-hun was the last contender left standing.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
  • The Front Man, detective Jun-ho and the Squid Games recruiter (Gong Yoo) are all set to return for the second season while being joined by a brand new cast of contestants including Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Jo Yu-ri, Lee David and many more.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of contestants
Verb
  • Amazon contends that the workers are not employees.
    Julia Shapero, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The complaint contends that Schultz and So violated securities laws, and even indicated their efforts to skirt those laws on the Spaces call.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of contends
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near rivals

rivalry

rivals

rive

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Cite this Entry

“Rivals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivals. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rivals

Nglish: Translation of rivals for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of rivals for Arabic Speakers

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