DUEL Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

duel 1 of 2

noun

ˈdü-əl

Definition of duel

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another a duel for the title of captain of the team

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

duel

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of duel

Noun

And in the second half, the game turned into a duel between standout QBs each making his sixth college start. — Pj Green september 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026 Othani, who has won four MVP awards in five seasons, including one with the Los Angeles Angels, was considered the MVP front-runner most of the season, until the duel in the sun changed things. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Verb

The final day of Georgia’s marquee Republican runoffs ended Monday with dueling endorsements and a barrage of campaign stops stretching from the coast to the Tennessee line. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 16 June 2026 Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway through which the region’s insecurity quickly becomes a global economic problem, remained hostage to dueling coercive measures. — Ali Vaez, Time, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for duel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for duel

Noun

The Jets have the home-field advantage in the rivalry game and have more experienced veterans on the roster while in the second year of coach Glenn’s regime, as Miami is in its first year under coach Jeff Hafley.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
An in-state rivalry between two California teams tips off tonight.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

But concrete reef structures powered by artificial intelligence could help to combat the environmental crisis.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 23 Oct. 2026
The League of Conservation Voters, a nonprofit dedicated to environmentalism and combating climate change, is raising its spending total to $110 million this year through its affiliated groups.

— Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of combat

Noun

The leader, facing a tough re-election battle, has focused much of his campaign ahead of Tuesday’s vote on security.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
By focusing on the battles fought in luxury department stores, fashion shows, high-end spas, nail salons, and the home, the film illustrated just how limited even privileged women’s options were.

— Raymond Ang, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

For now, Smith and her team are on the road as the Valkyries fight to take home the WNBA Championship Trophy.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
My school years passed in a sliding door moment, and all there was to behold in that frame was a young man who had to physically fight to be allowed to be someone else—himself.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of fight

Noun

Jurors also heard about Garza’s previous run-ins with law enforcement — and his family’s struggles to get help from the county with his mental health.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The folk tradition, especially, connected her to international Black freedom movements that emphasized labor conditions as a key part of the struggle.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

Now, Tan-Gillespie is tasked with getting KFC’s American business back on track as the brand faces growing competition paired with more health-conscious and cash-strapped consumers.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Still, some market participants see reason for hope in a market bludgeoned this year over worries about rising prices, tensions in the Middle East and stiff competition from artificial intelligence hyperscalers flooding the market with debt.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of competition

Verb

The novel forces readers to wrestle with the uncomfortable fact that Chrissie would rather have two dead children than one who isn’t part of the dominant class.

— Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
Authorities said another teacher threw her phone at the attacker and then tackled him and wrestled with him for control of the weapon, likely saving lives before the shooter was shot by a father who followed him into the building.

— Gene Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrestle

Browse Nearby Words

due

duel

dueled

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Duel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duel. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of duel

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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