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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.

Hamas, Fatah's bitter rival which rules over Gaza, was absent from the race.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

And AMD has an edge over its rival, he noted, given what he deemed to be superior products.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026

Alexander Graham Bell’s 1876 patent for the telephone beat rival Elisha Gray by hours, sparking a contentious legal battle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

And that’s what they did with UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence — but only after trading down with an NFC East rival at No. 23.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

You want to play hardball, Brooklyn thought as she looked at her rival.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Vocabulary lists containing rival

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