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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivalry
Saturday’s meeting between St. John’s and Arkansas (21-13) is set to renew a decades-long rivalry between Pitino and Calipari.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025
In Tuesday's episode of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, Fried shut Boston out over 4 1/3 innings, allowing only two hits while striking out three and issuing no walks.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Ottawa’s record against Montreal this season didn’t get any better after the latest edition of their rivalry.
—Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
The Celtics have won 10 of their last 11 meetings with the Heat, including last year’s first-round playoff series, dominating what had been one of the East’s most competitive rivalries.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025
In Tuesday's episode of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, Fried shut Boston out over 4 1/3 innings, allowing only two hits while striking out three and issuing no walks.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Ottawa’s record against Montreal this season didn’t get any better after the latest edition of their rivalry.
—Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025
The Celtics have won 10 of their last 11 meetings with the Heat, including last year’s first-round playoff series, dominating what had been one of the East’s most competitive rivalries.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rivalry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalry
Noun
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Another directorial debut, the French drama Partir un Jour from first-timer Amélie Bonnin, will open this year’s festival, screening out of competition.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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That also plays out of competition in Cannes Premiere.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The plan backfired: Poyer looked aged while Holland’s battles with injuries limited his ability.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
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And maybe the downfall is that Lex has decided what's right between those two and which should win out, whereas Superman and Lois are in a constant battle about what is right, so they each get checked by the other.—
Mike Miller,
EW.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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With a brewing 60 meter sprint race between NFL champion Tyreek Hill and Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles locked in for sometime later this year, conversations have been running amok as to whether the crossover duel will actually field a competitive race.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Snell duels with Tarik Skubal, the incumbent AL Triple-Crowner and last year’s unanimous AL Cy Young.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Not having to make payments might be a relief to those who are experiencing any financial struggles.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2025
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As much as anything tactical, Guardiola also has to pick the players that are in any kind of form and that has been the bigger challenge for a lot of this season, considering the struggles of De Bruyne, Gundogan, Foden, Bernardo, Kovacic, etc.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Faucette alleged that the conflict began in the driveway of Bryant's Apex home around 10 p.m. on Friday after Brown came to pick his child up without a proper car seat, reported CBS17 and WRAL.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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The Houthis claim to have destroyed 17 Reaper drones since the Red Sea conflict began, worth about $30 million each.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Time for Action Is Now Every new era of warfare demands institutional reinvention.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
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Defense stocks have typically been excluded from portfolios based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors due to ethical concerns over the sector’s association with warfare.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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An eyewitness told police that the confrontation between the two boys began when Metcalf asked Anthony to move out from under the tent that had been set up for members of his high school track team on the field that day.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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There is a humiliation that is at play with the ankle monitor, and then the confrontation with Chad happening at my workplace is kind of her nightmare.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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They would’ve been officially eliminated from playoff contention.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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The Heat has been eliminated from contention for the seventh seed.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalry. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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