DUELS Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

duels 1 of 2

noun

plural of duel

as in rivalries

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another a duel for the title of captain of the team

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

duels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of duel

as in battles

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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 duels

Noun

By that point, Hull had won almost twice as many duels as United and were also winning the game. — Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Cherry went 74 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Racing Louisville, recording four defensive clearances and winning three of her four aerial duels as Angel City lost for the first time in four games. — Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 31 July 2026 As with many Latin American and African teams, Paraguay defend deep and are extremely physical in duels and aerial battles. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026 On Wednesday, Tillman won nine duels — the most of anyone who played on either side — and had five dangerous interceptions, a metric used in soccer that accounts for stopping an attack. — Darren Sabedra, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 Jude Bellingham is also making his presence known in the midfield, helping England to win the majority of the duels so far. — Nbc News, NBC news, 28 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duels

Noun

North Dakota State’s move to the FBS has created excitement about new opponents, rivalries and possibilities.

— Manny Navarro, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Just as their own fictions bend and weave tales, so too do their own lives and rivalries.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of rivalries

Verb

The youngest of late Lakers owner Jerry Buss’ six children, the brothers have made the Padres their first major investment as the family battles over the sale of its remaining Lakers stake.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Is Joe Biden’s wayward son trying to land a lucrative podcast deal or taking one last stand to clear his name as his father battles cancer?

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

While that figure was low, the researchers argued that even a small risk of unintended weapons use could be unacceptable in sensitive maritime confrontations.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Following the October 7 attack in Israel and subsequent Israeli military operation in Palestine, protests on universities across the country escalated into confrontations between pro-Palestine protestors and pro-Israel counterprotestors.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of confrontations

Verb

Another shoreside community fights beach erosion Laguna Beach public works officials have closed a section of Aliso Beach’s parking lot after high tides and strong waves washed away sand and undermined a section of the lot.

— Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Water has become so scarce that fights break out between neighbors when a water truck arrives, and protests over the lack of water have become common.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of fights

Verb

The Chinese government firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with the law.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The Fed typically combats inflation by raising its benchmark interest rate to slow borrowing and spending and cool the economy.

— Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of combats

Noun

The criticism instead centers on the significant advantages that enormous family wealth can provide, including time, training and the freedom to pursue a creative career without the financial struggles many developing artists face.

— Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Isaiah explains that sharing their pregnancy losses and fertility struggles publicly felt like their purpose.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of struggles

Verb

Summary This article contends that inflation management is not, and never has been, the Federal Reserve's core responsibility.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The company contends its plan serves the town, the residential marketplace and the interest of historic preservation.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of contends

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dueling

duels

duende

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“Duels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duels. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of duels

noun

verb

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