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
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.
Recent Examples of rival
Avery Lotz, Axios, 26 May 2025
The Holograms’ constant rivals are The Misfits, whose music was angrier and more confrontational.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 26 May 2025
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 28 May 2025
Costabile plays villain and fictitious rival candymaker Tobias Thornhill, with Yorke as Kitty Hershey’s best friend, Margaret.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 May 2025
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
Italian filmmakers like Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci had a field day with cowboy iconography in the 1960s, churning out a series of violent Westerns that many enthusiasts would say rival or surpass the American Westerns made by the likes of John Ford and Howard Hawks.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rival
Noun
But Trump struck a harsh tone on social media earlier in the day, returning to his habit of using holiday messages to take aim at his political rivals.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 26 May 2025
The Holograms’ constant rivals are The Misfits, whose music was angrier and more confrontational.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 26 May 2025
Adjective
The combining of rival networks UBA and NBN will be at the center of The Morning Show‘s Season 4, which will get underway on Wednesday, Sept. 17, TVLine has learned.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 28 May 2025
Costabile plays villain and fictitious rival candymaker Tobias Thornhill, with Yorke as Kitty Hershey’s best friend, Margaret.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 May 2025
Verb
Coastal Mississippi is constantly surprising us, but one of its most delightful surprises is the fact that some of its beaches have white sand that rivals even Florida’s top spots.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
Italian filmmakers like Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci had a field day with cowboy iconography in the 1960s, churning out a series of violent Westerns that many enthusiasts would say rival or surpass the American Westerns made by the likes of John Ford and Howard Hawks.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
Their opponent will be either Laval or Rochester, who are battling for the Northern Division championship.—
Steve Lyttle,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2025
-
This creates space for team-mates: opponents are drawn away from Yamal on the left, while Lewandowski is able to work in the little pockets of space that appear around the edge of the penalty box.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Hernandez beat out all other competitors in the triple jump, though the runner-up was also awarded 1st place under new rules established by the California Interscholastic Federation after Trump issued his threats.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
-
Its temperature control falls behind its most direct competitor, the Asus TUF Gaming GT302 ARGB, in both configurations.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Employers Prioritize Their Own Goals Employers are under immense pressure to drive growth, shareholder value, innovate, navigate volatility, and survive in highly competitive landscapes.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
That’s great for them but ruinous for competitive balance at home; since the turn of the millennium, Lincoln have failed to win Gibraltar’s top league only twice.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Cosmetics hosted a kickoff party celebrating Katherine Legge, who was the only woman to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series' BetMGM 300 Saturday, and is the only woman currently competing in the NASCAR Cup & NASCAR Xfinity Series.—
People Staff,
People.com,
25 May 2025
-
On March 8, 1990, when Lyle was arrested in connection with their parents' murders, Erik was competing in a tennis tournament in Israel.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
These organizations serve about 30 million Americans across all 50 states but are typically under-resourced compared to their counterparts at major health systems.—
Alexis Kayser,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
Officials started making calls to counterparts Wednesday night to emphasize that, in their minds, nothing had changed and that process and urgency should be maintained.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
The Twins beat the Royals 5-4 on Saturday afternoon at Target Field, using a Lee single to capture their second win in as many days over their division foes.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
24 May 2025
-
Marvel films are littered with figures we’re supposed to identify with who triumph over their foes by showily revealing their true selves.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Now that Edmonton’s non-superstars are finally winning their minutes, the Oilers are a contender.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
-
The Champions League is the ultimate barometer of the continent’s elite clubs and up until now PSG has been a flashy contender that always came up short.—
James Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Leaders from both nations face mounting public pressure to show strength and seek revenge, and the heated rhetoric and competing claims could be a response to that pressure.—
Sheikh Saaliq,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2025
-
Meanwhile, competing services are on the launchpad, including from rival billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Amazon.—
Jeremy Bogaisky,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share