1
as in counterparts
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
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2
as in opponents
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 competitors
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rivals
Simon Hughes, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Colombian presidential candidate Iván Cepeda consolidated his lead in the most recent poll and would defeat both conservative rivals in a runoff scenario, five weeks ahead of the vote.
—Oscar Medina, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
But that confidence may be put to a test as potential challengers included in the survey posted stronger favorability scores than Johnson — though the city residents surveyed displayed significant levels of unfamiliarity with those possible rivals.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Shapiro's endorsements haven't scared off Democratic rivals.
—CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Shult and Sisson and their Republican rivals.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
But critics note Angola still has deep problems with corruption and have questioned if Lourenco’s actions were more aimed at political rivals so as to consolidate his power.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
To be sure, the tech lobby will argue that these requirements make AI more expensive, potentially handing the lead to global rivals.
—Ken Silverstein, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
The Gophers men’s basketball program beat out one of its top rivals by bringing in North Carolina transfer Kyan Evans via the portal on Saturday.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Police believe the surviving victim was targeted because he was known to be affiliated with a North Richmond gang that rivals gangs from Central Richmond.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 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
Paschal, Arlington Heights to clash District rivals Fort Worth Paschal and Fort Worth Arlington Heights will face off with the District 7-5A championship on the line at Goldstein Field Saturday.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Manchester City overwhelmed rivals Arsenal over the weekend and are now in control of the Premier League title race.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
The guide spans decades-old gems like The Diamond and Lupie’s alongside spots like Bird Pizzeria and Fin & Fino, proving Charlotte’s food diversity rivals any major city.
—Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
On top of the consistent winning and competing for CIF Southern Section championships, the Wolverines’ lineage of players rivals any program in America.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
In North Brooklyn, Brooklyn Baby Hui now rivals Park Slope Parents with 10,000 members on Facebook and multiple WhatsApp chats.
—The Editors, Curbed, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Liverpool would wriggle their way back to the top of the table by March, only for the campaign to fall apart after five defeats in seven matches, a run that allowed Merseyside rivals Everton to win the league for the second time in three seasons.
—Simon Hughes, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Colombian presidential candidate Iván Cepeda consolidated his lead in the most recent poll and would defeat both conservative rivals in a runoff scenario, five weeks ahead of the vote.
—Oscar Medina, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
But that confidence may be put to a test as potential challengers included in the survey posted stronger favorability scores than Johnson — though the city residents surveyed displayed significant levels of unfamiliarity with those possible rivals.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Shapiro's endorsements haven't scared off Democratic rivals.
—CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Shult and Sisson and their Republican rivals.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
But critics note Angola still has deep problems with corruption and have questioned if Lourenco’s actions were more aimed at political rivals so as to consolidate his power.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
To be sure, the tech lobby will argue that these requirements make AI more expensive, potentially handing the lead to global rivals.
—Ken Silverstein, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
The Gophers men’s basketball program beat out one of its top rivals by bringing in North Carolina transfer Kyan Evans via the portal on Saturday.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
Loose-fitting trousers are polished enough for the office, while their drapey fit rivals the ease of sweatpants.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Police believe the surviving victim was targeted because he was known to be affiliated with a North Richmond gang that rivals gangs from Central Richmond.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 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
Paschal, Arlington Heights to clash District rivals Fort Worth Paschal and Fort Worth Arlington Heights will face off with the District 7-5A championship on the line at Goldstein Field Saturday.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Manchester City overwhelmed rivals Arsenal over the weekend and are now in control of the Premier League title race.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
The guide spans decades-old gems like The Diamond and Lupie’s alongside spots like Bird Pizzeria and Fin & Fino, proving Charlotte’s food diversity rivals any major city.
—Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
On top of the consistent winning and competing for CIF Southern Section championships, the Wolverines’ lineage of players rivals any program in America.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
In North Brooklyn, Brooklyn Baby Hui now rivals Park Slope Parents with 10,000 members on Facebook and multiple WhatsApp chats.
—The Editors, Curbed, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivals
Noun
-
The emu is the second-largest living bird in the world after the ostrich, with adult females being larger and heavier than their male counterparts.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
As Niall and Ruben, stepbrothers locked in a toxic relationship over the course of 30 years, Robertson (played by Jamie Bell as an adult) and Campbell (Gadd as an adult) bring the series’ explosive depiction of modern masculinity to life as exquisitely as their older counterparts.—
Barry Levitt,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For some observers, the lesson from Hungary is that Netanyahu’s opponents should look to his own camp for a candidate to unseat him.—
Deborah Danan,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
-
On the day of Lincoln’s election, the Wide Awakes patrolled polling places under the pretense of protecting democracy, while opponents viewed it as voter intimidation.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When Beijing wishes to shape the outcome of a transaction, signal displeasure, or slow the advance of foreign competitors in strategic sectors, antitrust enforcement has proven an effective tool.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Chevy Bolt's electric hatchback has a huge advantage over some competitors as the least expensive new EV.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Self-driving cars are operating commercially in some cities, and a relaxing, productive commute in an autonomous car competes for the same customer an eVTOL is trying to attract.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Weaker as a blocker on the move, but competes with a mean streak.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bose pros Bose products are known for their rich sound, and although Bose is a top audio equipment brand, many of them are more affordable than Sonos equivalents.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In addition, the marks are essentially phonetic equivalents and, thus, sound similar.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
So, future Big 12 foes, pick your poison.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
-
California’s trial attorneys and Uber — longtime courtroom foes — are officially bringing their fight to the November ballot.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The bay colt won the Santa Anita Derby at Southern California's Santa Anita Park last month ahead of fellow Derby contenders Potente and Intrepido, who came in second and fourth, respectively.—
Alex Sundby,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
And when two legitimate Stanley Cup contenders meet, regardless of round, desperation tends to win out.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Its untapped reserves are being wasted as the world races toward an era of abundant renewable energy.—
Judah Taub,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The film unfolds in Kathmandu, where a mother races to shield her nine-year-old daughter from a sudden and troubling change – a journey that forces both characters to reckon with trauma and with a legal system ill-equipped to deliver justice.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rivals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivals. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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