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

These companies, like their global rivals, are also ploughing resources into the development of physical AI -- technology that allows robots to move and interact with the world autonomously.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

The two Founding Fathers and former presidents had been political rivals but famously reconciled in their later years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

Former on-court rivals Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King are among those showing their support.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

Finally it seemed we had overpowered our rivals.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah