rival

[rahy-vuhl]

noun

1. a person who is competing for the same object or goal as another, or who tries to equal or outdo another; competitor.

   Synonyms: antagonist, adversary, adversary, emulator, opponent
   Antonyms: ally

2. a person or thing that is in a position to dispute another's preeminence or superiority.

   a stadium without a rival.

3. Obsolete.,  a companion in duty.

adjective

1. competing or standing in rivalry: rival businesses.

   rival suitors;

   rival businesses.

   Synonyms: opposed, competitive

verb (used with object)

rivaled, rivaling , rivalled, rivalling .

1. to compete with in rivalry; strive to win from, equal, or outdo.

   Synonyms: oppose

2. to prove to be a worthy rival of.

   He soon rivaled the others in skill.

3. to equal (something) as if in carrying on a rivalry.

   The Hudson rivals any European river in beauty.

   Synonyms: emulate, match

verb (used without object)

rivaled, rivaling , rivalled, rivalling .

1. to engage in rivalry; compete.

rival

/ ˈraɪvəl /

noun

1. 1. a person, organization, team, etc, that competes with another for the same object or in the same field

   2. ( as modifier )

      rival suitors

      a rival company

2. a person or thing that is considered the equal of another or others

   she is without rival in the field of economics

verb

1. to be the equal or near equal of

   an empire that rivalled Rome

2. to try to equal or surpass; compete with in rivalry

Other Word Forms

• rivalless adjective
• nonrival noun
• outrival verb (used with object)
• unrivaling adjective
• unrivalling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rival¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin rīvālis, originally, “one who uses a stream in common with another,” equivalent to rīv(us) “stream” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of rival¹

C16: from Latin rīvalis , literally: one who shares the same brook, from rīvus a brook

Synonym Study

See opponent.

Example Sentences

Political rivals and pundits seized on the moment as evidence of a candidate struggling under scrutiny.

Read more on Salon

The former congresswoman’s Democratic rivals in the 2026 gubernatorial race seized on her comments, and Democratic strategists not associated with any candidate in the race also cringed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Arattai isn't the first Indian app to dream of replacing huge international rivals.

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For Pickford, Crystal Palace's Dean Henderson, 28, and Manchester City's James Trafford, 22, both also named in the squad to face Wales and Latvia, must be seen as his main rivals.

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Gerrard, who played his full career in England with Liverpool before a final season at LA Galaxy, says players at the time were too reluctant to mix with team-mates who played for rival clubs.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• adversary 
• challenger 
• competition 
• competitor 
• contender 
• opponent 
• peer