sense of rivalry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of rivalry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling or perception of competition or antagonism between individuals or groups. Example: "The sense of rivalry between the two teams intensified as the championship game approached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Interest

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Yet the sense of rivalry  between these two is acute.

Independent

For Jews, a sense of rivalry was palpable, triangular, and almost Old Country in character.

The New Yorker

One would aid and encourage the other, without any sense of rivalry or jealousy.

The Economist

"There's no sense of rivalry," says Doug Waechter, a Devil Rays pitcher.

The New York Times - Sports

The proximity of Long Beach has nurtured a sense of rivalry between the two municipalities.

The New York Times

Ed Miliband puts this down to mutual respect: "There's no sense of rivalry.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The healthy sense of sibling rivalry inculcated a desire to get things done, she believes.

The Guardian

But the prospect of a South American team beating the former champions overcame any sense of neighbourly rivalry.

The Guardian - Sport

As for his sense of the rivalry, he said that if it exists, it does only in the minds of West Siders.

The New York Times

It was thus he met Bernstein and saw in him an official, as a mutual acquaintance puts it, who "doesn't moan, gets thing done, has no sense of political rivalry and – rare in Manchester – does not hate London".

The Guardian

Geographic proximity to Europe, a sense of historical rivalry and constant comparisons in terms of achievements contribute to a sense of relative deprivation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of rivalry" to depict not just overt competition, but also underlying tensions or unspoken conflicts between groups or individuals.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of rivalry" when describing simple, friendly games or situations. The phrase implies a more intense, possibly negative, competitive dynamic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of rivalry" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the perception or awareness of competition, antagonism, or tension between two or more parties. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of rivalry" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe the awareness or perception of competition, often with an underlying tone of antagonism or tension. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for use in various contexts, especially in news and media, although it maintains a neutral register. When using "sense of rivalry", ensure that the context involves more than just friendly competition, and consider alternative phrases like "feeling of competition" or "spirit of competition" if the situation is less intense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of competition

Replaces "sense" with "feeling", emphasizing the emotional aspect of competition.

rivalrous relationship

Uses an adjective to describe the nature of the relationship.

spirit of competition

Focuses on the enthusiastic and energetic aspect of rivalry.

feeling of antagonism

Focuses on the emotional state of opposition.

competitive dynamic

Highlights the interactive and evolving nature of the competition.

competitive atmosphere

Shifts the focus to the environment created by competition.

climate of competition

Emphasizes the overall competitive environment.

competitive tension

Highlights the stress and strain caused by competition.

antagonistic relationship

Highlights the opposition and hostility involved.

underlying animosity

Focuses on hidden or suppressed hostility.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of rivalry" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of rivalry" to describe the competitive tension between two or more parties. For example: "The proximity of Long Beach has nurtured a "sense of rivalry" between the two municipalities."

What can I say instead of "sense of rivalry"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling of competition", "spirit of competition", or "competitive atmosphere" depending on the context.

Is "sense of rivalry" the same as "feeling of rivalry"?

While similar, "sense of rivalry" often implies a more pervasive or ambient awareness of competition, whereas "feeling of rivalry" focuses more on the emotional experience of it.

What's the difference between "sense of rivalry" and "sense of competition"?

"Sense of rivalry" often suggests a more intense and potentially negative competitive dynamic, while "sense of competition" can refer to a more general awareness of competitive forces without necessarily implying animosity.