Rival: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘ฅ
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rival

 

[หˆraษชvษ™l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in competition

A person, group, or organization competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.

Synonyms

adversary, competitor, opponent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rival

Used when two entities are competing in a way that they are almost equal in strength or ability. Often implies a long-standing or historical competition.

  • They have been rivals since high school.
  • The two companies have a fierce rivalry.
competitor

Used in business or sports contexts to describe someone or something engaged in a competition. Neutral connotation.

  • She is a strong competitor in the market.
  • Our company needs to stay ahead of our competitors.
opponent

Mostly used in sports or debate contexts to describe someone you are competing against at a specific moment.

  • He shook hands with his opponent after the match.
  • The politician debated his opponent fiercely.
adversary

Implies a more direct conflict or opposition, often with strong negative connotations. Commonly used in formal or serious contexts.

  • In the courtroom, the lawyer faced his old adversary.
  • He proved to be a worthy adversary in the chess tournament.

Examples of usage

  • He has always seen her as his main rival in the industry.
  • The two companies are fierce rivals in the market.
  • The football teams have been rivals for decades.
Context #2 | Verb

competing

To compete with someone or something in order to achieve a goal or win something.

Synonyms

challenge, compete with.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rival

Used to describe someone or something you are in competition with, often in the same field or area. It implies direct competition.

  • She has been my rival in every academic contest we've entered
  • The two companies are rivals in the smartphone market
compete with

Generally describes the act of participating in a contest or striving to win against others. It is a broader term than 'rival' and can be used in various contexts.

  • Athletes from all over the world compete with each other in the Olympics
  • Our company is looking to compete with major brands in the industry
challenge

Can be used to describe a competitor in a contest, but it also means to call someone out to a competition or test their skills or abilities. It often indicates a test or difficult task.

  • He decided to challenge the best player in the school to a chess match
  • Climbing Mount Everest is one of the greatest challenges an adventurer can face

Examples of usage

  • She will rival her sister in the upcoming competition.
  • The two musicians are set to rival each other in the talent show.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin word 'rivus', meaning stream, as in two parties competing for the same water source.
  • Originally, it described individuals who used the same river, highlighting a competitive relationship over shared resources.

Psychology

  • Rivalry can motivate individuals to achieve their goals, pushing them to work harder.
  • Studies show that healthy competition among rivals can enhance performance and results.
  • Intense rivalry may lead to negative effects, impacting relationships and fostering hostility.

Sports

  • Historical sports rivalries, like those between Barcelona and Real Madrid, often have deep cultural implications.
  • Rival teams frequently create excitement and emotional investment among fans, enhancing the overall experience of competitions.
  • Rivalries in sports can lead to legendary matches that are remembered for decades.

Literature

  • In many stories, rivalry drives the plot. For example, in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', the Montagues and Capulets are rival families.
  • Classic tales often feature a protagonist and an antagonist, highlighting the conflict systematized by rivalry.
  • Rivalry can symbolize broader themes such as ambition, betrayal, and the quest for dominance.

Pop Culture

  • Popular media often romanticizes rivalries, such as the famous feud in the film 'The Social Network' between Zuckerberg and the Winklevoss twins.
  • In comic books, heroes often have arch-nemeses, establishing a classic rival dynamic that fuels storytelling.
  • Reality shows frequently highlight rivalries among contestants, creating drama and viewer engagement.

Translations

Translations of the word "rival" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น rival

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅเคฐเคคเคฟเคฆเฅเคตเค‚เคฆเฅเคตเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Rivale

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ rival

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ััƒะฟะตั€ะฝะธะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ rywal

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒฉใ‚คใƒใƒซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท rival

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ rival

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท rakip

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ผ์ด๋ฒŒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ู†ุงูุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ rival

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ rival

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฏนๆ‰‹

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ tekmec

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ keppinautur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑำ™ัะตะบะตะปะตั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒฌแƒ˜แƒœแƒแƒแƒฆแƒ›แƒ“แƒ”แƒ’แƒ”

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ rษ™qib

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ rival

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,236 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.