as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the effort to get their teenage son to keep his room clean is a constant tug-of-war
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tug-of-war
But too often the film fails to coalesce beyond obvious, surface-deep sentiments about the advantages and disadvantages of beauty and one filmmaker’s conflicted tug-of-war emotions about Naples.
—
Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Paws Allen: a Labrador Retriever mix from Buddy's Second Chance Rescue in Buffalo, New York, who is a tug-of-war champ.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
The anonymous data gathered from our shopping stories shows that our readers also felt this tug-of-war between lofty aspirations and the urge to hibernate.
—Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Your story navigates more than a few political topics that are still debated today, such as funding the NPS, reintroducing apex predators, and the constant tug-of-war between protecting federal lands and opening them to drilling or logging.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Paws Allen: a Labrador Retriever mix from Buddy's Second Chance Rescue in Buffalo, New York, who is a tug-of-war champ.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
The anonymous data gathered from our shopping stories shows that our readers also felt this tug-of-war between lofty aspirations and the urge to hibernate.
—Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Your story navigates more than a few political topics that are still debated today, such as funding the NPS, reintroducing apex predators, and the constant tug-of-war between protecting federal lands and opening them to drilling or logging.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war
Noun
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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
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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
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 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
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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Considering UConn’s struggles shooting from long range in its losses, the importance of its best 3-point shooter can’t be overstated, especially when Fudd can add drives and pull-up midrangers when defenses chase her off the line.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
17 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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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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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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Creating collaborative spaces encourages open dialogue, reduces potential conflicts and ensures team members properly get to know each other.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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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
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
Cite this Entry
“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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