Meaning & use

rival

noun·Everyday

A person, group, or thing competing with another for the same goal, position, or advantage.

See it in a sentence

The two companies have been fierce rivals in the smartphone market for a decade.

The chess champion faced her greatest rival in the final round of the tournament.

A note on using this word

Rival can also function as a verb meaning to be as good as or compete seriously with something else.

Words with a similar meaning

competitoropponent

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. verb

To be nearly as good as, or to compete seriously with, someone or something else.

Few desserts on the menu could rival her homemade chocolate cake.

Make it your own

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