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

While its streaming service Peacock has struggled to grow as quickly as many rivals and still generally loses money, a tie-up with a rival could ensure a more solid future.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

The Mexico men’s national team and their U.S. counterparts have increasingly become rivals, both on the field and in recruiting dual-national players.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 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

Though they’d been political rivals only months earlier, Barack and Joe had a natural rapport, both of them able to slide with ease between the seriousness of their work and the lightness of family.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama