rivals

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.

Centrists Timothy Gaspar and Barri Worth Girvan have a huge lead over their rivals for the San Fernando Valley council seat that Bob Blumenfield is leaving due to term limits.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

He noted that AT&T has more broadband exposure than its main telecommunications rivals, though not as much as legacy cable operators.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

But those examples don't necessarily mean every single team in Germany is spying on their rivals.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

And at least two of Centene’s rivals already pay dividends.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

Cleopatra departed from her stay at Tarsus free of all rivals at long last.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby