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
Republican groups have outraised their Democratic rivals, narrowing his party’s big fundraising advantages at the candidate level. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 That would’ve given the Royals their first sweep of an AL Central division rival this season. — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The season also started on a bloody note with the rival Targaryen factions clashing in the Battle of the Gullet, leading to Rhaenyra assuming the Iron Throne while Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) fled town. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 Rick, originally a high school chemistry teacher and founder of rival Round Barn Winery, got his start working the Tabor Hill wine labs in 1980 before being named head winemaker by 1982. — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
Although denim can be quite rigid for travel or long in-office days, Quince’s options happen to be uniquely stretchy and soft, with premium construction that rivals brands triple the price. — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026 The interior features an upscale design, advanced MBUX Superscreen, and intuitive driver-assistance technology, rivaling even higher-end Mercedes models in ambiance. — Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 4 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
  • From 2022 to 2025, companies tied to the data center ecosystem leased more than 9 million square feet of floor space in metro Atlanta, the equivalent of six Lenox Square malls, according to real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Edison Lee, a top analyst at Jefferies known for frequent ratings and price target changes, cut the stock to a sell-equivalent from hold.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of equivalent
Noun
  • Oklahoma, where Daniels played last season, shared several common opponents with LSU, where Perkins spent his four-year college career.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The leader of anti-immigration party Reform UK is running in an election as the incumbent favorite, and his main opponent is a man dressed as a garbage can.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of opponent
Noun
  • Some investors, though, expressed skepticism on a conference call Monday that Specs will break through in a crowded industry where some of the company’s competitors, like Meta, have a lot more resources.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Past research has shown that new closers have superior velocity and strikeout rate than their competitors, but unfortunately those metrics are in flux for Smith and Winn.
    — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of competitor
Adjective
  • As ever, the fair will also feature competitive exhibitions, including livestock and agricultural competitions, home arts displays and educational demonstrations.
    — Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Independents posted impressive numbers this weekend, another good one for moviegoing but competitive with blockbuster commercial films in the marketplace.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of competitive
Verb
  • Ask whether ToolBench scores servers that compete with Arcade's own catalog on identical criteria.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Located in the heart of the Marais, a restaurant at the Centre Pompidou would have to be pretty special to compete against all the excellent neighboring options.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of compete
Noun
  • Junk food is an aphrodisiac here, with KFC buckets and oodles of brightly colored brand-name candy acting as culinary counterparts to the junk cinema that’s activated something in the movie’s characters and its creator.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
  • But the 1980 special is also darker, more bittersweet, and less fully formed — seemingly stuck in an eternal search for an origin, for a counterpart, for ground on which to build.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of counterpart
Noun
  • Worrell’s frequent foe, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, bashed her over Rundell’s past on social media, suggesting dropped cases previously left the teen free to commit murder this summer.
    — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, friends and foes alike were reminded that allies of the United States cannot be certain that their interests will be protected during a war or that Washington will even consult with them before deciding to use force.
    — KORI SCHAKE, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of foe
Noun
  • One of the top contenders for the AA title, reigning Pan American floor champion Claire Pease opened her night on floor exercise.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The Indiana Fever — a habitual middle-of-the-pack franchise, 14 years removed from its only championship — have been on a hot streak on the court lately that has carried them up among the championship contenders.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of contender

Browse Nearby Words

ritzy
rival
rivaled
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Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rival. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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