TUG-OF-WAR Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

tug-of-war

noun

ˌtəg-ə(v)-ˈwȯr

Definition of tug-of-war

as in rivalry

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the effort to get their teenage son to keep his room clean is a constant tug-of-war

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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 tug-of-war Following last week's interest rate hike, Goolsbee was putting into perspective what to expect going forward in the Fed's tug-of-war between its dual mandate of fostering price stability and maximizing employment. — Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026 The addictively queasy tug-of-war between wanting to explore the next section and wanting to just say ‘nope’ and turn the whole thing off. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 The team modelled a gravitational tug-of-war between Venus, a hypothetical moon, and the sun, following this forward over billions of years. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Corbin was about to drag it back into the ring before Yachty started a tug-of-war for the belt. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tug-of-war

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tug-of-war

Noun

The dispute also revives a bitter rivalry with Placer County Supervisor Shanti Landon, who defeated Andreatta in the June primary.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
This season sees the historic rivalry move to Atlanta for the first time in series history.

— Connor Riley, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivalry

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

Noun

The journey from the theatrical release to The Final Cut, opening on the twenty‑fifth anniversary of the film in 2007, is akin to the struggle of historians to set the record straight.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
For a team that did not shy away from its Super Bowl expectations during training camp, this is the Cowboys’ chance to prove that the early season struggles were an outlier and that the plan is still in motion.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

In the luxury market, lines like Seabourn (with its first expedition vessel, Seabourn Venture) and Scenic are the main competition for all-suite accommodations.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Its upcoming industry competition should provide a clearer picture of the technologies developers can bring to the program.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

When an ingenious serial killer begins murdering Minneapolis citizens, Davenport, a brilliant polymath and unconventional investigator, takes the case, sparking an intense psychological duel with an equally intelligent adversary.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Snell opened the seventh by walking Andrew Vaughn and losing an 11-pitch duel to Bauers, who won the battle with a two-run homer.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

Drone warfare has become the deadliest threat to civilians in Sudan's conflict and both the military and the RSF are being supplied with drones by a number of countries in the Middle East and beyond, experts previously said.

— YASSIR ABDALLA, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Their appearance resembles equipment used by China’s J-16D electronic warfare aircraft, although analysts have not confirmed their identity or operational status.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of warfare

Noun

The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen's long-running conflict.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
The risk of conflict is growing and the threat to the international economy is severe.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Iran and Saudi Arabia represent competing religious ideologies and have been locked in a regional rivalry for decades, culminating in an outright confrontation earlier this year after the US and Israel launched a war on the Islamic Republic.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Not through confrontation, but through sensitivity, through encounter and through the possibility of listening to one another.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

tugging

tug-of-war

tugs

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“Tug-of-war.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tug-of-war. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of tug-of-war

noun

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