rivaling 1 of 2

adjective

variants or rivalling
as in competitive

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

rivaling

2 of 2

verb

variants or rivalling
present participle of rival
as in competing
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 rivaling
Verb
In several areas of science and technology, China is now rivaling or surpassing the United States. — H. Christopher Frey, The Conversation, 7 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 Strappy sandals with cool toe-ring details, are rivaling flip-flops as the shoe of summer. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 16 July 2026 Subaru has recently made headlines for its reliability rivaling top automakers like Honda and Toyota. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 15 July 2026 These linen-blend pants feel as soft as a cloud against your skin, rivaling your favorite pair of pajama pants. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026 Fireworks from formal rocket shows to impromptu street celebrations can create extremely unhealthy air quality, sometimes rivaling what comes from wildfires. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 Weddings are among the biggest financial expenses that couples will face, with costs rivaling those of buying a car. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 1 July 2026 People over 40 with obesity appear to have both their blood pressure and cholesterol under control at levels rivaling their peers with normal body mass index, research published Wednesday in the Lancet has found. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivaling
  1. competitive
  2. competing
  3. opposite
  4. contending
  5. opposing
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
  • But the public should also understand what happens when institutions reduce job security while continuing to pay way less than competing employers.
    — Francisco Ruiz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Setting a new standard This June, Penn State football players lined the on-campus baseball stadium to greet athletes competing in the Pennsylvania Special Olympics.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of competing
Adjective
  • Dango Ouattara should retain his role on the right but newcomer Jaidon Anthony could pinch Kevin Schade’s place on the opposite side.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Robert hit his sixth of the season, and catcher Luis Torrens hit an opposite-field shot off right-handed starter Tyler Mahle in the sixth inning.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of opposite
Verb
  • In addition to contending for national titles, the men will compete for spots on the 2026 World Championship Team.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Union officials and House Democrats close to labor dismissed Welch’s claim, contending Benton had no real influence over organized labor’s decisions.
    — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of contending
Adjective
  • Imagine a White player drilling a Black opponent above the neck, getting tossed and then immediately posting a racial accusation aimed at the opposing team.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The murder of an influencer could be interpreted as an attempt to send an intimidating message to the opposing side.
    — Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of opposing

Browse Nearby Words

rivaled
rivaling
rivalries
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rivaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivaling. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All