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.

It is not only their devastating finishing about which France's World Cup rivals should be concerned.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026

While the fulfillment speed of on-demand platforms like Meituan beats JD.com’s, its first-party logistics network can serve long-tail demand that many rivals can’t, she says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

The Mexico men’s national team and their U.S. counterparts have increasingly become rivals, both on the field and in recruiting dual-national players.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

The Gdansk conference focused on Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, with Polish firms hoping their proximity will help them avoid being overshadowed by Western rivals if and when a war settlement is reached.

From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026

Meanwhile, the Wampanoag were rivals and enemies of the Narragansett and Pequots to the west and the many groups of Abenaki to the north.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann