Synonyms of rival

rival 1 of 3

noun

ˈrī-vəl 

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

• equivalent
• counterpart
• partner
• fellow
• colleague
• peer
• coordinate
• competitor
• parallel
• match
• compeer
• like
• equal
• coequal
• companion
• half
• analogue
• twin
• associate
• double
• mate
• copartner

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

• opponent
• foe
• competitor
• adversary
• contestant
• antagonist
• enemy
• match
• nemesis
• archenemy
• attacker
• equal
• invader
• combatant
• assailant
• bane
• curse
• bête noire

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• ally
• accomplice
• champion
• advocate
• proponent
• supporter
• confederate
• exponent
• sympathizer

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

• competitor
• contender
• contestant
• challenger
• competition
• finalist
• archrival
• corrival
• entrant
• player
• opponent
• adversary
• entry
• also-ran
• antagonist
• semifinalist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• ally
• teammate
• collaborator
• noncompetitor
• supporter
• backer

rival

2 of 3

adjective

as in competitive

Related Words

• competitive
• competing
• rivalrous
• dynamic
• enterprising
• driving
• industrious
• hustling
• hungry
• motivated
• scrappy
• diligent
• venturesome
• spirited
• determined
• eager
• animated
• lively
• venturous
• ardent
• gung ho
• impassioned
• avid
• vigorous
• opportunistic
• aggressive
• high-flying
• energetic
• aspiring
• overambitious
• ambitious
• assertive
• pushy
• pretentious
• keen
• pushing
• hard-driving
• raring
• self-assertive
• go-getting
• self-seeking

Dissimilar Words

• indifferent
• disinterested
• uninterested
• casual
• unenthusiastic
• apathetic
• lackadaisical
• unexcited
• easygoing
• tepid
• lukewarm
• uneager
• halfhearted
• sluggish
• listless
• lethargic
• lazy
• shiftless
• spiritless
• lazyish
• unaggressive
• unassertive
• unambitious
• ambitionless

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

• compete
• contend
• race
• fight
• battle
• vie
• face off
• challenge
• play
• engage
• maneuver
• jockey
• go out
• jostle
• try out
• work
• train

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rival

Noun

The Yankees’ three-game sweep of their century-long rivals at Fenway Park this week piled onto what’s been a dreadful start to the season by Boston. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026

But in 2023, Chinese automakers surpassed Western rivals’ China car sales for the first time, the Wall Street Journal reported. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026

Adjective

The Red Sox lost 10-3 on Friday night, after getting swept in a three-game series by the rival New York Yankees. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026

India bristles as Pakistan has its diplomatic moment Indian political elites are discomforted by regional rival Pakistan’s outsized role in US-Iran peace talks, but there are some bright spots for New Delhi, analysts argued. —Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026

Verb

An analysis of fossil jaws belonging to octopuses that lived between 100 million and 72 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period, shows that these creatures may have been the largest animals in the sea and smart to boot, rivaling sharks and marine reptiles in their powers of predation. —Kate Wong, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026

The second-floor houses treatment rooms and a massive gym developed with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, the kind that rivals a major city fitness center. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026