RIVALRIES Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

rivalries

noun

plural of rivalry

as in battles

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 rivalries 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, 2 Sep. 2026 The shooting unfolded against the backdrop of the gang and record-label rivalries that had become intertwined with hip-hop’s East Coast-West Coast conflict. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 1 Sep. 2026 In that time, a number of rare revelations surfaced about Davis, the late rap legend, their acquaintances and the impact of record label and gang rivalries on the hip-hop world in the '90s. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 But in the end, concern over the potential loss of control over its fishing industry and an erosion of national identity won out over how Iceland might be affected by geopolitical rivalries. — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 Week 1 is full of national showdowns and nonregion rivalries. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026 However, in recent years bilateral ties have plunged, marred by frequent tit-for-tat trade tensions and growing geopolitical rivalries. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026 Professional sports have always thrived on heroes, villains, rivalries and grievances. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalries

Noun

The policy updates come amid the slew of ongoing legal battles by players who were originally part of the 2022 high school recruiting class seeking a fifth year of collegiate eligibility.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Then came battles with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

— Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

Unfortunately, its determination to recreate its predecessor’s personal conflicts and revelations, along with its narrative twists and turns, slightly hamstrings what is otherwise an extremely effective thrill ride, especially on the big screen.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
When Russia’s full-scale invasion breaks out, his mother and sister flee Ukraine and join him, bringing with them family conflicts and feelings of guilt that distance cannot silence.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of conflicts

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

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

Definition of duels

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

Noun

To the extent these independent contentions were intended to imply that NBA rules permit teams, at the request of players, to initiate off-court income opportunities for players, that implication is incorrect.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Many healthcare policy analysts disagree with these contentions about fraud, noting partisan politics have now become part of the dissemination of government reports.

— Robert Applebaum, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of contentions

Noun

The treaty has endured three wars and prolonged periods of diplomatic tensions but has come under increasing strain in recent years.

— Sam Meredith,Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Kitchen has seen some properties pushed even higher than that as sales frequently turn into bidding wars.

— Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of wars

Browse Nearby Words

rivaling

rivalries

rivalrous

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“Rivalries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalries. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rivalries

noun

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