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
The vehicles with the strongest value propositions tend to offer more than their rivals in terms of standard features, specs and overall driving experience. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 However, Editors' Choice pick ScreenPal, previously Droplr's closest rival, now surpasses it thanks to a free option and superior premium upgrades. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Heading into a pivotal four-game series against the rival Red Sox, the Yankees (75-58) lost for only the third time in 10 games. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Elite researchers are swapping between rival labs at dizzying speed. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
Last year, Apple paused further development of its Vision Pro headset to focus on smartglasses to rival Meta’s Ray-Ban products. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Of all the artists flying the country flag in this era, Dolly was the most transcendent, rivaled only by the great Johnny Cash. — David Kamp, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 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
  • Diskin, Easo, Radhakrishnan, Sudakov, and Tassion were trying to work out something fundamental about how graphs — networks of points connected by lines, or edges — can be taken over by large connected areas, the equivalent of pools of fluid.
    — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • California Cruise is close to the European equivalent of the Tourer 4Motion camper van Volkswagen already announced for the US market.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of equivalent
Noun
  • But by defending in this way, Chelsea are giving smart opponents the advantage in the battle for possession.
    — Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • It was scheduled after Sandburg had its original Week 2 opponent back out.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • But Patel observed that many of the robotic competitors were still being teleoperated by human operators who directly controlled the robots’ actions.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That is 35 films the two studios are already planning as independent competitors before any merger occurs.
    — Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of competitor
Adjective
  • Having Maxx Crosby back on the field will help, but improvements need to be made if the Raiders want to be competitive.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The competitive edge lies in how AI supports and amplifies human responsiveness, ensuring customers feel valued and heard, rather than just interacting with bots.
    — John Hall, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of competitive
Verb
  • If Woltemade leaves then Wissa, Joe Willock, who is set to stay, and Jacob Ramsey are the obvious candidates to compete to play there.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The series will see 16 people compete head-to-head for a $250,000 cash prize.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of compete
Noun
  • There are lots of brands that have worked to give us beautiful soft mattes that glide onto lids and don’t feel patchy or heavy like their previous counterparts.
    — Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their counterparts, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), have not said anything to mark six months of the war.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of counterpart
Noun
  • Only five of their 2026 opponents had winning records last season, and their nine league opponents combined for a 28-53 record against Big Ten foes.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But this season, their division foes haven’t gotten any easier, and the rest of the league is out to test whether quarterback Sam Darnold can maintain last season’s star-worthy production.
    — NBC Sports, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of foe
Noun
  • Here’s a closer look at the remaining meetings between division contenders.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The schedule ahead will brings more challenges; the Dragons face championship contenders North Crowley and Allen before District 4-6A play.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of contender

Browse Nearby Words

ritzy
rival
rivaled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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