Rival — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective verb /ˈrī-vəl/ ri·val

Meaning & Definition of Rival

Rival (noun)

  1. one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess
  2. one striving for competitive advantage
  3. companion, associate

Rival (adjective)

  1. having the same pretensions or claims, competing

Rival (verb)

  1. to act as a rival, compete
  2. to be in competition with
  3. to strive to equal or excel, emulate

Rival (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value

    "a design that is a rival to any produced by a professional graphic artist"

    similar: coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equal, equivalent, fellow, like, match, parallel, peer
    related: analogue, double, half, mate, twin, associate, colleague, companion, copartner, partner, competitor

  2. one that takes a position opposite another in a competition or conflict

    "the boxer's toughest rival thus far"

    similar: adversary, antagonist, foe, opponent
    related: equal, match, enemy, archenemy, nemesis, competitor, contestant, bane, bête noire, curse, assailant, attacker, combatant, invader
    near: accomplice, ally, confederate, partner, advocate, champion, exponent, proponent, supporter, sympathizer

  3. one who strives for the same thing as another

    "the four cities that are the top rivals for the site of the next Olympic Games"

    similar: challenger, competition, competitor, contender, contestant, corrival
    related: archrival, finalist, semifinalist, also-ran, entrant, entry, player, adversary, antagonist, opponent
    opposite: noncompetitor
    near: ally, collaborator, partner, teammate, backer, supporter

Rival (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in competing, competitive

    similar: competing, competitive, rivalrous, determined, diligent, driving, dynamic, enterprising, gung ho, hungry, hustling, industrious, motivated, scrappy, venturesome, venturous, animated, lively, spirited, ardent, avid, eager, energetic, impassioned, keen, raring, vigorous, aggressive, assertive, high-flying, opportunistic, overambitious, pretentious, pushy, self-assertive, ambitious, aspiring, go-getting, hard-driving, pushing, self-seeking
    opposite: apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic, unexcited, uninterested, casual, easygoing, lackadaisical, lazyish, halfhearted, lukewarm, tepid, lazy, lethargic, listless, shiftless, sluggish, spiritless, unaggressive, unassertive, ambitionless, unambitious

Rival (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to engage in a contest

    "two longtime friends who have rivaled for the same things at every stage of their lives"

    similar: battle, compete, contend, face off, fight, race, vie
    related: challenge, engage, play, jockey, jostle, maneuver, go out, try out, train, work

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Rival

The most common words with a similar meaning to Rival:

coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equal, equivalent, fellow, like, match, parallel, peer, adversary, antagonist, foe, opponent, challenger, competition, competitor, contender, contestant, corrival, competing, competitive, rivalrous, determined, diligent, driving, dynamic, enterprising, gung ho, hungry, hustling, industrious, motivated, scrappy, venturesome, venturous, animated, lively, spirited

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Rival

Words with the opposite meaning of Rival:

noncompetitor, apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic, unexcited, uninterested, casual, easygoing, lackadaisical, lazyish, halfhearted, lukewarm, tepid, lazy, lethargic, listless, shiftless, sluggish, spiritless, unaggressive, unassertive, ambitionless, unambitious

Related Words for Rival

analogue, double, half, mate, twin, associate, colleague, companion, copartner, partner, enemy, archenemy, nemesis, bane, bête noire, curse, assailant, attacker, combatant, invader, archrival, finalist, semifinalist, also-ran, entrant, entry, player, challenge, engage, play

Near Antonyms of Rival

accomplice, ally, confederate, partner, advocate, champion, exponent, proponent, supporter, sympathizer, collaborator, teammate, backer

Word Forms of Rival

Inflections: rivaled, rivalled, rivaling, rivalling

Origin & Etymology of Rival

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin rivalis one using the same stream as another, rival in love, from rivalis of a stream, from rivus stream run

First known use: 1577

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Rival

Words & Phrases Containing Rival

mortal foe/rival

Frequently Asked Questions about Rival

What does "Rival" mean?

"Rival" means one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess. As an a noun, an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Rival"?

Other words for "Rival" include coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equal, equivalent, fellow and like. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Rival" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Rival"?

There are 106 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Rival". Common alternatives include coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equal, equivalent, fellow, like, match and parallel.

What is the opposite of "Rival"?

Antonyms of "Rival" include noncompetitor, apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic, unexcited and uninterested. Near antonyms include accomplice, ally, confederate and partner.

How do you use "Rival" in a sentence?

Examples of "Rival" in a sentence: "a design that is a rival to any produced by a professional graphic artist"; "the boxer's toughest rival thus far"; "the four cities that are the top rivals for the site of the next Olympic Games".

Is "Rival" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Rival" can be used as a noun, an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Rival" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Rival" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Rival"?

"Rival" is pronounced /ˈrī-vəl/ and divided into syllables as ri·val.