rival with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rival with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about competing against someone or something in order to gain a certain advantage. For example: "My brother and I have always had a friendly rivalry, always trying to rival with each other to see who could be the smartest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He's a fierce rival with anyone.

The New York Times - Sports

Palm could license its software, or even sell itself to a rival with more resources.

The New York Times

In Epstein, Cashman had a bold new rival with a bloodless streak he admired.

The New York Times - Sports

At the dispatch box, Tony Blair welcomed his young rival with condescending humour.

The Economist

Now BBC Arabic faces a new challenge from a rival with very deep pockets indeed.

Independent

Instead of confronting Mr. Zadran with force, Mr. Taniwal hopes to bury his rival with cash.

The New York Times

A close victory over a heated rival, with no interceptions and a 63percentt completion rate.

The New York Times - Sports

Pumphuset is a strong rival, with a similarly open approach to genre.

The Guardian - Travel

He showed himself drunk, sick, taking aim at a rival with a gun through a window.

The Guardian - Arts

When Mr. Gingrich prevailed he rewarded his outspoken rival with the chairmanship of the Rules Committee.

The New York Times

Each planned to treat his primary rival with respect to unify his party.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rival with", ensure the context clearly indicates a competitive situation where entities are striving for the same goal or recognition.

Common error

Avoid using "rival with" when the intended meaning is simply facing an obstacle or challenge without direct competition. Use "contend with" or "face" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rival with" functions as a verb phrase indicating competition or striving to be equal or superior to another. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts where entities are competing for dominance or success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rival with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the idea of competition or striving to equal or surpass another entity. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media, science and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's important to use it when a clear competitive relationship is intended, as misusing it could obscure your meaning. Alternatives like "compete against" or "vie with" can provide nuanced variations on the theme of competition. Overall, "rival with" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary for accurately describing competitive scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in competition with

Expands the phrase to specify that you are actively competing with someone or something.

vie with

A more formal and less common way to express competition.

compete against

Focuses on the act of competing, omitting the sense of direct opposition inherent in "rival with".

be pitted against

Indicates two or more subjects being put against each other.

contend with

Implies a struggle or effort to overcome an obstacle, rather than a direct competition.

be up against

Suggests facing a difficult opponent or situation, rather than a direct competitive relationship.

challenge

Highlights the act of posing a challenge, lacking the continuous sense of rivalry.

take on

Implies accepting a challenge or responsibility, but doesn't necessarily involve rivalry.

oppose

Indicates a direct opposition, not necessarily involving competition.

match

Suggests an equal or comparable quality, not direct competition.

FAQs

How can I use "rival with" in a sentence?

Use "rival with" to indicate a competitive relationship where two or more entities are striving for the same objective. For example, "The company aims to "rival with" its main competitor in market share".

What are some alternatives to "rival with"?

You can use alternatives like "compete against", "vie with", or "challenge" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "rival against" instead of "rival with"?

"Rival with" is the standard and accepted phrasing. While "rival against" might be understood, it's not grammatically correct and should be avoided in formal writing.

What is the difference between "rival with" and "compete with"?

While both phrases express competition, "compete with" is more general. "Rival with" suggests a more direct and often intense competitive relationship where the entities are considered rivals.