TUGS-OF-WAR Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

tugs-of-war

noun

plural of tug-of-war

as in rivalries

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the effort to get their teenage son to keep his room clean is a constant tug-of-war

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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 tugs-of-war These places have always been subject to imperial tugs-of-war. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 Both the Russian and Chinese governments have been compromising routers for years, sometimes in prolonged tugs-of-war to wrest control of devices the other has already commandeered. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026 This climactic collision is woven from several minor ethical tugs-of-war that rest on each character exhibiting both selfishness and altruism in various scenes, until their complicated humanity is placed under a harsh spotlight. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 21 Feb. 2026 Youssef has a history of intense and high-profile tugs-of-war with Egypt’s authoritarian regimes, the most recent of which has been in power since 2014. — Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tugs-of-war

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

Noun

Littrell's beachfront property has become a flash point in the beach battles.

— Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
California beat several bluebloods in the transfer portal and continues to win high school recruiting battles, with an elite 2027 class on the horizon led by Westlake wideout Charles Davis and Chaparral quarterback Dane Weber.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of battles

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

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

Forest have generally been solid, with only Manchester City (61 per cent) and Sunderland (57 per cent) winning a higher share of aerial duels than their 56 per cent.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 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

The Wales international made 53 appearances in all competitions last season and has started both of Forest’s opening two Premier League games this term.

— Paul Taylor, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Su, remarkably skilled at intensifying the flavors of a single fruit or vegetable in a drink of many elements, had a knack for winning national cocktail competitions.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of competitions

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

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tugs

tugs-of-war

tuile

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“Tugs-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tugs-of-war. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tugs-of-war

noun

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