the contestant you hope to defeat; he had respect for his rivals; he wanted to know what the competition was doing

[ Syn: challenger , competitor , competition , contender ]

be equal to in quality or ability; Nothing can rival cotton for durability; Your performance doesnt even touch that of your colleagues; Her persistence and ambition only matches that of her parents

[ Syn: equal , touch , match ]

be the rival of, be in competition with; we are rivaling for first place in the race'