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, 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)

, ri·valed, ri·val·ing or (especially British) ri·valled, ri·val·ling.

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)

, ri·valed, ri·val·ing or (especially British) ri·valled, ri·val·ling.

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 Words From

• rival·less adjective
• non·rival noun adjective
• outrival verb (used with object) outrivaled outrivaling or (especially British) outrivalled outrivalling
• un·rival·ing adjective
• un·rival·ling 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

Mr Devenport added that he was “occasionally a rival who did me professional damage, but on a personal level we were always very good friends”.

From BBC

Foster said he eventually got over the snub by his rival.

From Los Angeles Times

Its rival British Gas has come under scrutiny in the past for force-fitting the devices and chasing customers over incorrect bills.

From BBC

Nadal was invited on court to address the crowd, while an emotional tribute video featuring messages from many of his rivals was also played.

From BBC

City became only the second men's English team, after rivals Manchester United, to win the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup Treble when they pulled off that feat in 2022-23.

From BBC

Related Words

• competing