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
Examples 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
Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 16 Dec. 2024
Behind quarterback Blake Horvath – who is expected to be fully healthy and ready to play on Saturday after some injury woes in the second half of the season – the Midshipmen are hoping to match their top rivals yard-for-yard on the ground.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Jimmy Durkin, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
Albertsons on Wednesday called off its $24.6 billion merger with Kroger, a day after a judge temporarily blocked the union, and sued the rival grocery chain for breach of contract.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2024
William Gavin, Quartz, 9 Dec. 2024
Thousands of fans from all over the world tuned in to these unofficial livestreams every night of the tour, commenting, screaming, and searching for Swift Easter eggs together — and thus creating a sense of community and joy rivaled only by the vibes of an actual concert.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rival 
Noun
Windsor and East Catholic didn’t have to play each other until mid-February last season and then the two CCC rivals played each other twice in two weeks, with Windsor winning the regular season game, 77-73 and the CCC championship, 63-61.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 16 Dec. 2024
Behind quarterback Blake Horvath – who is expected to be fully healthy and ready to play on Saturday after some injury woes in the second half of the season – the Midshipmen are hoping to match their top rivals yard-for-yard on the ground.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
He’s been personally focused on things like individual player performance and Canucks systems, and it’s been from the perspective of an assistant coach working for a rival team conducting a pre-scout on the Canucks to help prepare his team for two head-to-head matchups per season.
—Jimmy Durkin, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
Albertsons on Wednesday called off its $24.6 billion merger with Kroger, a day after a judge temporarily blocked the union, and sued the rival grocery chain for breach of contract.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
The Max is a rival to Porsche’s Taycan EV, while the Ultra has been priced to rival Tesla’s Model S Plaid.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 9 Dec. 2024
Thousands of fans from all over the world tuned in to these unofficial livestreams every night of the tour, commenting, screaming, and searching for Swift Easter eggs together — and thus creating a sense of community and joy rivaled only by the vibes of an actual concert.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
Noun
-
Firstly, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whom Paul said spent more than $30 million trying to defeat his opponents who voted him out last year.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
-
But against a formidable opponent — the type Seattle would have to beat to contend for a title — Smith didn’t put his best foot forward.Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The News started a morning edition to rub out its competitor.Tim Kiska, Detroit Free Press, 21 Dec. 2024
-
Riot is being lapped by its competitors for failing to capitalize on the massive opportunity presented by leasing capacity to hyperscalers.Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Over the three days, participants will undergo a series of evaluations, including anthropometric and athletic tests, skill development sessions, and competitive 5-on-5 games.Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
-
Until some team wins 500 games in a row and forces the league to shudder for lack of competitive interest or something like that, this will continue to be the case.Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Looking ahead to 2025, Muniz will compete full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 33 Ford F-150 for Reaume Brothers Racing.Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
-
This put pressure on the industry to develop technological solutions as companies competed to develop better products.Susan Solomon, WIRED, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
New data from TransUnion shows Zoomers are using credit cards to make ends meet more than their Millennial counterparts did at the same stage of life.Lindsey Downing, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
-
Negro said the research did not investigate hunting success in relation to plumage color, but earlier research had suggested that whiter barn owls were more efficient hunters than their darker counterparts during a full moon.Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Leaders looking at 2025 want to incorporate AI as a friend, not a foe, to enable greater efficiency, output and growth.Chris Westfall, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
-
This game against a potential playoff foe was somewhat of a litmus test for the Seahawks, who handled business coming out of the bye week with wins over the Cardinals (twice), 49ers and Jets.Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The team was a playoff contender because the competitive equity rankings count not just wins and losses, but strength of schedule.Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 21 Dec. 2024
-
If a couple of blockbusters do come to fruition before Sasaki is posted, the idea of Boston as a championship contender may not seem so farfetched.Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Having an affordable and competing way to watch movies at home has changed some moviegoers’ habits.Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
-
Both militant groups are active in the region and have issued competing claims in thee past.Riaz Khan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2024
Articles Related to rival
Thesaurus Entries Near rival
Cite this Entry
“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share