Meaning & use
unrivalled
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Meanings
adjectivenot comparableapproving
Better than all others of the same kind, with no competitor that comes close.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: unrivalled skill; her skill is unrivalled.
Patterns
- be unrivalled in something
- be unrivalled as something
The chef's skill with fish is unrivalled in the city.
The hotel offers unrivalled views of the harbor.
Her knowledge of birds was unrivalled among her colleagues.
adjectiveafter a verb
Having no equal in a particular field or at a particular time, such as a leader or record.
Grammar: Often follows remain or stay: the record remains unrivalled.
Patterns
- remain unrivalled
For decades, the team's dominance remained unrivalled.
His speed was unrivalled until a younger runner appeared.
Common combinations
- unrivalled success
- The show enjoyed unrivalled success on the stage.
- unrivalled view
- The balcony has an unrivalled view of the lake.
- unrivalled expertise
- She has unrivalled expertise in marine biology.
- remain unrivalled
- Their reputation remains unrivalled.
- unrivalled in its field
- The lab is unrivalled in its field.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unmatched
- This stresses that nothing equals it in a comparison, and is a little plainer than unrivalled.
- unparalleled
- This is more formal and often used for achievements or situations, while unrivalled suggests competition.
- peerless
- This is literary and suggests a person or thing without any equal, so it can sound old-fashioned.
- supreme
- This means highest in rank or quality, but does not stress the lack of competitors.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: unrivalled or unrevealed?
unrivalled vs unrevealed
Unrevealed means not yet made known, and has nothing to do with being the best.
Practice
Visitors say the restaurant offers ___ views of the mountains, better than anywhere else in town.
Choose one answer.
Unrivalled means no other view can compete, matching better than anywhere else. Common and average suggest ordinary, and unreliable does not describe views.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “unrivalled”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.