rival

American  

[rahy-vuhl] / ˈraɪ vəl /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Related Words

See opponent.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of rival

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

Example Sentences

Intense competition in China has sparked a prolonged price war as rivals cut prices to win customers while local consumers have moved to tech-heavy domestic models.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nasdaq, introduced in 1971, grew into the NYSE’s chief rival by nurturing tech innovators and taking trading online.

From Barron's

Nasdaq, introduced in 1971, grew into the NYSE’s chief rival by nurturing tech innovators and taking trading online.

From Barron's

Immediately after Goldman and Apple launched the card, rival issuers looked with raised eyebrows at some of the terms, foreshadowing issues that would come up in the deal talks in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s the metric most likely to dictate how the stock—and rivals’ shares—move Tuesday.

From Barron's

Related Words

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