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unrivaled

unrivaled

9 5.3
Better than any other person or thing
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈraɪvələd/
  • US
: inigualable
  • As always, Robin Nicholson is an inspirational speaker with unrivaled knowledge of design for sustainable buildings.
  • truly unrivaled
  • unrivaled position
  • unrivaled power

And we have unrivaled data, totally unique on the effectiveness of vaccinations in the real world.

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Examples

  • The United States will use its unrivaled military power to manage the global order.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The Mexican community forestry sector is now unrivaled in Latin America and the world.

    Academic text (2003)
  • And in this you are unrivaled.

  • Jackson was himself a figure of unlimited and almost unrivaled complexity.

    Academic text (1998)
  • And we have unrivaled data, totally unique on the effectiveness of vaccinations in the real world.

    ZOE
  • Just as important, MEJ has provided an unrivaled platform for important historical debates.

    Academic text (2014)
  • And would offer an unrivaled opportunity to study the origins of O'Keeffe's art.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The centuries of human habitation here left an abundance of archaeological evidence unrivaled in the United States.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The thrill of canoeing can't be matched, and the scenery along this beautiful watercourse is unrivaled.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The Hilton Chicago's spacious guestrooms provide unrivaled comfort and feature HDTVs and in-room concierge technology.

Synonyms

one and only
vsunrivaled
165 3.9

A single person or thing that is special and has no equal

focuses more on being top among equals rather than mere uniqueness
unparalleled
vsunrivaled
36 6.7

Better than anything else in quality or size

states the same superiority but in simpler general terms
undisputed
vsunrivaled
29 4.2

Accepted by everyone and not doubted

asserts superiority rather than broad public acceptance or agreement
incomparable
vsunrivaled
19 6.0

So good or special that nothing else matches it

shows clear measurable superiority over others
unmatched
vsunrivaled
17 4.5

Being better or more impressive than anything else

expresses the same lack of equal but in broader contexts
peerless
vsunrivaled
6 7.2

So good that it has no match

means the same top status but as a general quality claim
unsurpassed
vsunrivaled
6 6.3

Better than anything else in quality or skill

makes the same claim but with a more positive emphasis
unequaled
vsunrivaled
  • US
5 6.2

Better than any other person or thing

says the same unmatched status but with a concise tone
matchless
vsunrivaled
2 6.0

So good that nothing else is as good

is better than others because it has no equal
unmatchable
vsunrivaled
1 6.2

A person or thing that is better than all others

says the same unbeatable status but without strong finality
unsurpassable
vsunrivaled
1 7.7

So good that no one can do better

expresses unmatched quality but in a less absolute tone
1 7.2

Much better than other people at something

expresses the same exceptional position using a different personal focus
unexcelled
vsunrivaled
1 8.1

Better than any other

claims the same top position without highlighting permanence
nonpareil
vsunrivaled
  • Literature
1 9.9

Having no equal in quality or skill

means the same top position but in more everyday contexts
nonrival
vsunrivaled
1 7.9

Better than any other in skill or quality

is similar but highlights superiority more than absence of rivals
unexceeded
vsunrivaled
7.5

Better than anything else in quality or success

conveys the same lack of being bettered but more generally
6.8

Much better than others in skill or quality

shares that superiority but states it in a general label

Antonyms

18 3.2

Evenly balanced with an opponent of similar skill

How Excellent

unrivaled
  • US
9 5.3
outstanding
241 3.4
excellent
∞ 1.0
good
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

unrivaled positive
unrivalled positive

Morphology

unrivaled = unrival (transparent) = un + rival + ed

The final step is a regular adjectival/past-participial suffix '-ed' attached to 'unrival', forming the adjective 'unrivaled'.

Etymology

Unrivaled starts with un- meaning 'not' and the word rival meaning 'an opponent'. A helpful image is that long ago a rival could be someone who used the 'same river' and had to compete for water, so unrivaled means 'no opponent', better than anyone else.