Rival vs. Competitor — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on October 1, 2023
A rival is someone striving to outdo or defeat another; a competitor is any entity in the same field or market vying for the same goal or audience.
Difference Between Rival and Competitor
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Rival and competitor are both terms used to describe entities in competition, but they carry different connotations. A rival often connotes a more personal or intense competition. The rivalry might stem from history, geography, or personal animosities. A sports team might consider another as its main rival due to historic games or regional proximity.
In contrast, a competitor is a more neutral term. It refers to any entity, individual, or group that operates in the same space or market aiming for the same objectives. For instance, businesses in the same industry are competitors because they target the same customer base. However, they might not have the intense emotions or history associated with rivalry.
Grammatically, both "rival" and "competitor" function as nouns, but "rival" can also be a verb meaning to match or surpass someone or something. For instance, "She rivaled him in intelligence." Conversely, "competitor" remains a noun, with its verb form being "compete."
While both words can often be used interchangeably, "rival" tends to emphasize competition with a deeper emotional or historical undertone, and "competitor" offers a more general, objective perspective on competition.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Someone striving to outdo or defeat another.
An entity vying for the same goal in the same field.
ADVERTISEMENT
Connotation
Often implies intense or personal competition.
Neutral, objective term for entities in the same space.
Grammatical Use
Noun; can also be a verb.
Primarily a noun.
Examples of Usage
Used in personal contests or historic feuds.
Commonly used in business or sports contexts.
Emotional Undertone
Can imply deeper emotional or historic competition.
Usually lacks the emotional intensity of rival.
Compare with Definitions
Rival
To be comparable to in quality or magnitude.
The beauty of the sunset rivaled any painting.
Competitor
An individual or group competing against others.
As a new brand, they faced tough competitors in the market.
Rival
Someone seeking to outdo another.
The two artists became bitter rivals after the competition.
Competitor
Any entity vying for a shared goal or resource.
Many competitors are eyeing the same contract.
Rival
An entity in opposition due to history or intensity.
Their teams are traditional rivals, clashing every season.
Competitor
A business entity in the same industry or market.
Their main competitor launched a similar product.
Rival
One who attempts to equal or surpass another, or who pursues the same object as another; a competitor.
Competitor
Someone who opposes or challenges in a contest.
Despite being fierce competitors, they're friends off the field.
Rival
One that equals or almost equals another in a particular respect
She is his rival in sarcasm.
Competitor
One participating in a competition or contest.
She's a strong competitor in this year's Olympics.
Rival
(Obsolete) A companion or an associate in a particular duty.
Competitor
One that competes with another, as in sports or business; a rival.
Rival
To attempt to equal or surpass.
Competitor
A person or organization against whom one is competing.
Rival
To be the equal of; match
"They achieved more than they had ever dreamed, lending a magic to their family story that no tale of ordinary life could possibly rival" (Doris Kearns Goodwin).
Competitor
A participant in a competition, especially in athletics.
Rival
To be a competitor or rival; compete.
Competitor
(obsolete) Partner, associate, one working with another toward a common goal.
Rival
A competitor (person, team, company, etc.) with the same goal as another, or striving to attain the same thing. Defeating a rival may be a primary or necessary goal of a competitor.
Chris is my biggest rival in the 400-metre race.
Competitor
One who seeks what another seeks, or claims what another claims; one who competes; a rival.
And can not brook competitors in love.
Rival
Someone or something with similar claims of quality or distinction as another.
As a social historian, he has no rival.
Competitor
An associate; a confederate.
Every hour more competitorsFlock to their aid, and still their power increaseth.
Rival
(obsolete) One having a common right or privilege with another; a partner.
Competitor
The contestant you hope to defeat;
He had respect for his rivals
He wanted to know what the competition was doing
Rival
Having the same pretensions or claims; standing in competition for superiority.
Rival lovers; rival claims or pretensions
Rival
(transitive) To oppose or compete with.
To rival somebody in love
Rival
To be equal to, or match, or to surpass another.
Rival
To strive to equal or excel; to emulate.
Rival
A person having a common right or privilege with another; a partner.
If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.
Rival
One who is in pursuit of the same object as another; one striving to reach or obtain something which another is attempting to obtain, and which one only can posses; a competitor; as, rivals in love; rivals for a crown.
Rival
Having the same pretensions or claims; standing in competition for superiority; as, rival lovers; rival claims or pretensions.
The strenuous conflicts and alternate victories of two rival confederacies of statesmen.
Rival
To stand in competition with; to strive to gain some object in opposition to; as, to rival one in love.
Rival
To strive to equal or exel; to emulate.
To rival thunder in its rapid course.
Rival
To be in rivalry.
Rival
The contestant you hope to defeat;
He had respect for his rivals
He wanted to know what the competition was doing
Rival
Be equal to in quality or ability;
Nothing can rival cotton for durability
Your performance doesn't even touch that of your colleagues
Her persistence and ambition only matches that of her parents
Rival
Be the rival of, be in competition with;
We are rivaling for first place in the race
Rival
One aiming to equal or surpass another's achievements.
The young prodigy rivaled the maestro's skills.
Rival
To match or contend against in competition.
His performance rivaled that of the lead actor.
Common Curiosities
Is every competitor a rival?
Not necessarily. While all rivals are competitors, not all competitors have the intense relationship implied by "rival."
Can "rival" be used as a verb?
Yes, "to rival" means to match or surpass in some way.
Is "competitor" specific to business contexts?
No, it's broader, encompassing any entity in competition.
Can brands be competitors without directly competing?
Yes, brands in related niches can influence each other without direct competition.
Is a rival's competition more personal than a competitor's?
Often yes, rivalry might have personal, historical, or emotional undertones.
Do rivals always have a negative relationship?
No, rivalry can be friendly, but it's often intense.
Are "rival" and "competitor" synonymous?
They can be, but "rival" often has a deeper emotional or historical connotation.
Can a company have multiple rivals?
Yes, a company can have multiple rivals, especially in diverse markets.
What's the verb form of "competitor"?
The verb form is "compete."
Do rivals always compete in the same field or industry?
Typically, yes, as rivalry implies direct competition.
Is "rivalry" the noun form of "rival"?
Yes, "rivalry" describes the competitive relationship between rivals.
Can companies collaborate with their competitors?
Yes, sometimes competitors collaborate for mutual benefit, called "co-opetition."
Is the competition between rivals always overt?
Not always; it can be subtle or even passive.
Can someone be unaware of their competitors?
Yes, especially in large markets or when competitors aren't direct threats.
How can one identify their business rivals?
By analyzing market dynamics, customer overlaps, and competitive positioning.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Lease vs. Finance
Next Comparison
Tempering vs. AustemperingAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
