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Definitions

rival

[rahy-vuhl] / ˈraɪ vəl /
ADJECTIVE
opposing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
competing
STRONG
battling combatant combating conflicting contending contesting cutthroat disputing emulating equal opposed striving vying
WEAK
competitive emulous
Antonyms
WEAK
assisting associate supporting
NOUN
person who opposes in competition
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adversary challenger competition competitor contender opponent peer
STRONG
antagonist bandit buddy contestant emulator entrant equal equivalent match
WEAK
opposite number
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ally helper
STRONG
difference
WEAK
associate cohort companion
VERB
oppose; be a match for
Synonyms
STRONGEST
emulate equal resemble
STRONG
amount approach approximate compete contend contest correspond match meet near partake tie touch
WEAK
bear comparison with come near to come up to compare with go after go for jockey for position measure up to rivalize scramble for seek to displace vie with
Antonyms
STRONG
disconnect give up leave
WEAK
aid assist cooperate help support

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She also joined her former Stanford teammate and USC rival Kiki Iriafen, who was a first-round pick last year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Germany upped its incentives to keep up with rival hubs such as the Czech Republic and Ireland.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

As soon as the scorecards were announced at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Fury was on the mic demanding a "yes or no" answer from long-time rival Joshua about a fight next.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

The proposed settlement would be somewhat similar to a deal the FTC struck with Omnicom Group OMC -0.15%decrease; red down pointing triangle as part of its $13.5 billion acquisition of rival Interpublic Group last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Once Nigel had a rival, it brought him around.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

Vocabulary lists containing rival

Beowulf vocabulary

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"The Sporting Spirit"

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30 Great Words from Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson

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