rivalry
noun
Did you know?
On Rivals, Rivaling, and Rivalry
The word rival most commonly refers to a person or group that tries to defeat or be more successful than another person or group, which means that rivals tend to come in pairs. Candidates running for the same political office are political rivals, and two people trying to earn the exclusive affection of a third are romantic rivals. Teams, schools, or companies might be longtime rivals if they try over many years to outdo each other.
Rival can also mean “equal” or “peer.” When the word is used in this way it's usually conveying how good or impressive something or someone is. For example, "a country musician the rival of any in the world" is as good as the best country musicians in the world. Often a negating word is added to assert superiority, as in "a country musician without rival."
As a verb, rival typically has a meaning that relates to this latter sense of the noun. The verb is most often used to say that someone or something possesses qualities or aptitudes that approach or equal those of another. For example, for one country musician to be rivaling another, the first country musician must be as good as or nearly as good as the other musician. (Note that in U.S. English, the verb's forms are usually spelled rivaled and rivaling; in British English rivalled and rivalling are preferred.)
The noun rivalry has to do with the state or situation in which rivals (usually in the “competitor” sense) exist, or in which rivaling happens. In politics we have political rivalries, and in matters of the heart there are romantic rivalries. Sibling rivalry exists when there is competition or jealousy between sisters or brothers.
Synonyms
Examples of rivalry in a Sentence
Mathieu Droin, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2024
For much of the bitter crosstown rivalry, the Galaxy have been closer to the bottom of the table than the top.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2024
The two youngsters have been widely tipped to provide tennis’ next great rivalry and the thought of them meeting in the semifinals again is already a tantalizing prospect.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 30 June 2024
Authorities swiftly arrested General Zúñiga as his soldiers retreated from central La Paz, crushing the apparent coup attempt and defusing the latest crisis in a country wracked by a bitter political rivalry and economic crisis.
—Paola Flores and Isabel Debre, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rivalry 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rivalry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rivalry
Cite this Entry
“Rivalry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rivalry. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rivalry
noun
Medical Definition
rivalry
noun
Share