rivalries

noun

plural of rivalry
as in battles
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another a healthy rivalry in sports between the two schools

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 rivalries Dynastic rivalries, regional rebellions, economic disruption, and the demographic effects of the Black Death all undermined imperial authority. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026 Professional sports have always thrived on heroes, villains, rivalries and grievances. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 Rookie rivalries While Wilson is looking forward to his first game in his hometown, most of the league will be tracking how the rookie matches up against the other top talent in the 2026 draft class. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Fighting games are a cross-cultural nexus that spark heated rivalries but ultimately forge lasting connections. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026 The rivalry dates all the way back to the 1890s, when proximity and hate fueled one of the coolest regional rivalries in the sport. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Yet Germany’s military buildup has stirred anxiety in France, while industrial rivalries have repeatedly frustrated joint projects. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Alongside the central Yash roles, the trailer introduces Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi, each positioned within a web of relationships and rivalries that define the ensemble narrative. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026 This initiative aims to elevate horse racing's appeal to everyday sports fans by fostering rivalries and familiarity among top horses. — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalries
  1. battles
  2. conflicts
  3. struggles
  4. duels
  5. confrontations
  6. competitions
  7. contentions
  8. wars
Noun
  • Teams earned points by winning weekly head-to-head battles – tugging a sled across the field the fastest, surviving a heated game of dodgeball – and by simply doing the right thing.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • More recently, the legal battles became the subject of barbs and jokes as comedian Bill Maher accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in late June.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of battles
Noun
  • The annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will kick off sooner than usual to accommodate booking conflicts with Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Additional conflicts may arise in jurisdictions that prohibit cash customers from paying more than customers using other payment methods, a rule symmetric rounding can violate when a cash total rounds up.
    — Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of conflicts
Noun
  • After the slayings, Nick’s struggles with mental health and drug addiction made headlines.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
  • That credibility often transfers to the guest, creating an authentic form of brand exposure that traditional advertising struggles to replicate.
    — Julio Cesar Gomez, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of struggles
Noun
  • Cherry went 74 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Racing Louisville, recording four defensive clearances and winning three of her four aerial duels as Angel City lost for the first time in four games.
    — Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 31 July 2026
  • Physicality is an important aspect in winning such duels, but Stones’ timing is often impeccable in the crucial moments.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of duels
Noun
  • Those confrontations with federal officers ultimately turned deadly when Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti were fatally shot by federal agents just weeks apart.
    — Clay Masters, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The race has been shaped by the killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, confrontations that were caught on camera and fueled a backlash to Trump’s immigration policies.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of confrontations
Noun
  • No away team had won in the previous 14 meetings between the clubs across all competitions.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Many compete in annual competitions, including the Women's Baseball World Cup, and have had stints in regional and seasonal men's leagues.
    — Jaclyn Licht, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of competitions
Noun
  • Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, whose tenure brought team success and three World Series contentions, now faces significant scrutiny over his business practices.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • At the time, Sackler offered no response to these contentions.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
Definition of contentions
Noun
  • But the Guard is principally built and trained to fight wars abroad.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Pay the damages of the two wars of aggression and imposition on Iran without any reduction or reduction.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of wars

Browse Nearby Words

rivaling
rivalries
rivalrous
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Cite this Entry

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

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