rival 1 of 3

noun

ˈrī-vəl How to pronounce rival (audio)
Definition of rivalnext
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

rival

2 of 3

adjective

as in competitive

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

rival

3 of 3

verb

as in to compete
to engage in a contest two longtime friends who have rivaled for the same things at every stage of their lives

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Noun
Their Democratic rivals are hitting back, saying the efforts have either not gone far enough or are self-serving in the final weeks of the campaign. — David Hickey, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026 And losing to an AFC South rival would only make things worse. — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Six points from six games represents United's worst start in the Premier League era, and on Sunday comes a clash with fierce rival Leeds at Elland Road, coincidentally the setting for Amorim's final game. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 New series from Netflix also haven’t captured as much consumer demand as other competing shows from rival streamers, according to Parrot Analytics. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
The great outdoors The outdoor space of Crawford’s Brentwood home rivaled its tasteful interior. — Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026 Icotyde is the first oral drug in the IL-23 inhibitor class to hit the market, rivaling best-selling shots such as J & J's Tremfya and AbbVie's Skyrizi. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rival
  1. equivalent
  2. opponent
  3. competitor
  4. competitive
  5. compete
  6. counterpart
  7. foe
  8. contender
Noun
  • Unfortunately, the government then spends the equivalent of 24% of GDP on its various programs.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Sceye’s platform carried the equivalent of a 4G LTE base station for the demonstration, which simulated providing backup coverage in the case of an earthquake or similar large-scale disaster.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of equivalent
Noun
  • The ad also accuses his Democratic opponent, Brian Poindexter, of telling lies about him.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Back checks to break up opponents’ plays in the Panthers’ zone.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • When attorneys transact a merger between two retail giants like Albertsons and Kroger, a standard strategy to address anticompetitive concerns is to spin off a new competitor.
    — Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The challenge is to broaden a brand’s appeal without diluting the characteristics that distinguish it from competitors.
    — Yiling Pan, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of competitor
Adjective
  • If the answer is yes, the efficiency gain may be a competitive loss in disguise.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Races in the Texas House include potentially competitive races for House District 94 in east Tarrant County and House Districts 96 and 97 in the county’s southern half.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of competitive
Verb
  • Rose was having a standout season with the Rangers, a program on track to make the postseason and compete for the first playoff win in the school’s young history.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
  • With no party likely to win a majority, Netanyahu’s Likud and its far-right, ultra-Orthodox allies face centrist and left-wing challengers competing to assemble a governing coalition.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of compete
Noun
  • Even after the setback, young households remained wealthier than their counterparts were before the pandemic.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In more recent times, moreover, the first steps taken by the Third Reich toward the Holocaust began with the economic boycott of the Jews, who were accused of harming the businesses and positions of their Aryan counterparts.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of counterpart
Noun
  • After building an action camera capable of tracking speedy cyclists and skiers, HoverAir decided to tackle a foe that had foiled other consumer drone manufacturers.
    — Max Cea, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Ward is 3-19 as a starting quarterback, which includes a 0-7 mark against AFC South foes, and is staring another loss to a divisional rival in the face with the Titans traveling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts on Sunday.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of foe
Noun
  • Trezavant Boyd and James Perrone are both contenders for the Nat Moore Trophy, an award recognizing South Florida's top high school football player.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Fest director Susan Koch is landing more and more top Oscar contenders and talent every year, as well as Oscar pundits to cover them.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of contender

Browse Nearby Words

ritzy
rival
rivaled
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Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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