RIVALRIES Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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 Then again, this is part of what makes college football rivalries so great. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The Panthers and Broncos, who face off Friday for the 44th time in history, share one of the most storied rivalries in Georgia. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026 At least for one day, one of the league’s great rivalries returns — with Kansas City remaining undefeated into its early bye. — Pete Sweeney october 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026 Future Housewives is set in the decadent asteroid colony of New Beverly Hills, where wealthy socialites juggle bioengineered beauty regimens, ruthless rivalries and interplanetary scandals. — Peter White, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 But over the years, Bird of the Year has also become known for its fiercely competitive campaigns, tongue-in-cheek rivalries and occasional controversy. — Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026 College football has gone national, abandoning regional affinities and local rivalries. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026 Tis the season for football and family rivalries in Ryan Fitzpatrick’s household! — Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 The factors being considered include future opponent rotations, competitive balance, geographic rivalries, travel and home-game opportunities. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rivalries

Noun

As 2016 neared, Thomas’ bandmates expected to reconvene for a 20th anniversary tour, however he was focused on 2015’s The Great Unknown, largely inspired by wife Marisol’s grueling health battles.

— Leena Tailor, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
Paris — Students fought running battles with police and several schools were ablaze Friday as a new day of violence gripped France with no end in sight to protests that have rocked the country.

— Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

Expectations around workload and external factors, including international conflicts and crises, are contributing to these heightened anxieties.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Related Stories Set in Yunlin County on Taiwan’s southwest coast, the film follows two boys whose friendship comes under pressure as adult conflicts divide their community.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

In defence, his lack of physicality is becoming more glaring in a Premier League that is leaning more heavily than ever into duels, second balls and set pieces.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The noodles, the cheese, the topping, the consistency—duels have been fought over less.

— Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of duels

Noun

The war’s repercussions have spread across the Middle East, including conflict in Lebanon and confrontations involving Iran and the United States, while Israel faces a divisive election and questions over security failures.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Three Colombian former soldiers were killed during the confrontations, including a co-leader of the squad.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of confrontations

Noun

Vidio’s original slate now tops 110 series, and the platform carries more than 70 global and national sports competitions, among them Wimbledon, Formula 1 and MotoGP.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
Jeff Richardson, the Galleria’s senior general manager, said Great Big Game Show is coming to the Galleria, bringing game-show-style competitions to Roseville.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of competitions

Noun

To the extent these independent contentions were intended to imply that NBA rules permit teams, at the request of players, to initiate off-court income opportunities for players, that implication is incorrect.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Many healthcare policy analysts disagree with these contentions about fraud, noting partisan politics have now become part of the dissemination of government reports.

— Robert Applebaum, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of contentions

Browse Nearby Words

rivaling

rivalries

rivalrous

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“Rivalries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rivalries. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rivalries

noun

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