an unrivaled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unrivaled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has no equal or competitor in a particular context. Example: "Her performance in the competition was an unrivaled display of talent and skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

TVR has an unrivaled amount of independence.

The New York Times

She had an unrivaled zest for life.

The New York Times

The city of Rome had an unrivaled water supply.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gas prices exert an unrivaled hold on the public imagination.

The New York Times

Law enforcement has an unrivaled ability to shatter that trust.

The Washington Post

Moreover, nuclear power has an unrivaled safety record in the West.

Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies - 6th International Conference Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies 1 – 4 October 2002, Kyoto, Japan

He remained an unrivaled political operator during his wife's first term of office.

The New York Times

He finishes with an unrivaled 71 goals from 144 games in the world's most competitive tournament.

The New York Times - Sports

Both brothers were fine horsemen, and Pollux was an unrivaled boxer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cordovan takes a laborious six months to tan and treat yet afterward possesses an unrivaled sheen.

The New York Times - Sports

We don't have some pathetic little foursome, but an unrivaled "Gang of 40".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to emphasize the absolute top-tier status of a person, object or abstract concept.

Common error

Do not use intensifying adverbs like "very" or "extremely" with "unrivaled". Since "unrivaled" describes an absolute state (having no rivals), adding a degree modifier is logically redundant and can weaken your prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unrivaled" functions as an adjectival determiner phrase. It consists of the indefinite article "an" and the past participle "unrivaled" acting as an adjective. In the Ludwig database, it is consistently used to modify nouns to indicate that the subject has no equal. It serves as an intensive qualifier that establishes a hierarchy where the subject sits at the very top.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an unrivaled" is a powerful tool for any writer looking to denote that something is truly exceptional and without competition. According to Ludwig AI and the provided search data, the phrase is not only grammatically correct but also highly favored by world-class publications like The New York Times and Britannica. It is essential to remember that it should always be preceded by the article "an" and functions best when modifying abstract qualities such as expertise, power or reputation. Because it represents an absolute state, you should avoid using it with degree modifiers like "very". Whether you are writing a journalistic piece or an academic essay, using "an unrivaled" provides a sophisticated way to signal that your subject is in a class of its own.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unparalleled

Emphasizes that no similar thing has ever happened or existed before.

an unsurpassed

Suggests that nothing has gone beyond the level or quality of the subject.

an unmatched

Indicates that no equivalent exists to compare against.

an incomparable

Highlights that the subject is so good it cannot even be compared to others.

a peerless

Focuses on the lack of equals or 'peers' in a specific field.

a matchless

A more poetic or literary way to say nothing else matches it.

a unique

Implies being the only one of its kind, though slightly broader in meaning.

a supreme

Focuses on being the highest in rank, quality or authority.

a singular

Emphasizes being exceptional or unusual in a way that stands alone.

a second-to-none

A more idiomatic expression meaning the best.

FAQs

How to use "an unrivaled" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something of the highest quality, for example: "She has <a href="/s/an+unrivaled+reputation" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unrivaled reputation in the field of quantum physics."

What can I say instead of "an unrivaled"?

Depending on your context, you can use synonyms like "<a href="/s/an+unparalleled" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unparalleled", "<a href="/s/an+unmatched" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unmatched" or "<a href="/s/a+peerless" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a peerless".

Is it "a unrivaled" or "an unrivaled"?

The correct form is "an unrivaled" because the word starts with a vowel sound. Using "<a href="/s/a+unrivaled" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a unrivaled" is a grammatical error.

What is the difference between "an unrivaled" and "an unparalleled"?

While very similar, "an unrivaled" focuses on the lack of competitors or rivals, whereas "<a href="/s/an+unparalleled" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unparalleled" often suggests that something is without precedent or has never been seen before.