Difference between Rival and Enemy (With Table)

Rival refers to an individual competing with another individual. In other words, any person can be a rival of another person. Rivalries exist in many kinds of relationships. Competing between business firms is also a prominent kind of rivalry. In addition, the past tense and past participle of the word rival is rivalled. 

Enemy refers to an individual who behaves in an actively hostile manner with another individual. In its practical application, the word enemy usually connotes the nations that conflict with one another. An individual may have a strong urge to harm or inflict psychological pain towards his enemy. In addition, the word enemy may have a use to refer to disease of any kind. 

Comparison Table Between Rival and Enemy 

What is a Rival?

According to the Oxford dictionary, a rival refers to an individual competing with another individual. In other words, any person can be a rival of another person. Moreover, rivals don’t emit a sense of hostility. Instead, the atmosphere between rivals is that of competition. For instance, the rivalry between siblings is the most common form of rivalry. 

Rivalries exist in many kinds of relationships. Competing between business firms is also a prominent kind of rivalry. Such rivalries often result in a benefit for the consumers. In addition, the past tense and past participle of the word rival is rivalled. 

The word rival originates from the Latin word rivalis originally meaning a person using the same stream as another. The word rival came into popular use from the 16th century onwards. The synonyms of a rival are opponents, competitor, enemy, foe, nemesis, challenger, contender, contestant, antagonist, and corival.

The antonyms of the word rival are partner and ally. Another prominent instance of rivalry is in the case of sports wherein different teams compete against each other. Such a rivalry is generally beneficial to the performance of players and thus, promotes healthy competition. Thus, rivalry usually has a positive connotation. 

What is an Enemy?

According to the Oxford dictionary, an enemy refers to an individual who behaves in an actively hostile manner with another individual. Thus, enemies foster a relationship of strong hatred towards one another. There is a clear absence of logic or reason in the case of an enemy relationship. As a result, it generally leads to pessimistic behaviour. 

A prominent instance of enemies is the United States of America and Russia during the Cold War, the Allied nations and the Axis Nations during the Second World War. Other examples include the relationship between Iran and Iraq, India and Pakistan, and Israel and Iran. The word enemy originates from the Latin word inimicus which means not a friend. 

The synonyms of the word enemy are the opposition, adversary, bandit, and combatant. The antonyms of the word enemy are friend and ally. In its practical application, the word enemy usually connotes the nations that conflict with one another. An individual may have a strong urge to harm or inflict psychological pain towards his enemy. 

When an individual is characterised as an enemy, the process is known as demonization. In addition, the word enemy may have a use to refer to disease of any kind. When an individual characterizes another person as his enemy, it is likely to cause either physical or mental harm to both parties. Thus, the word enemy connotes various meanings.

Main Differences Between Rival and Enemy 

1. Rival refers to an individual competing with another individual. In contrast, an enemy refers to an individual who behaves in an actively hostile manner with another individual. 
2. The word rival originates from the Latin word rivalis originally meaning a person using the same stream as another. On the other hand, the word enemy originates from the Latin word inimicus which means not a friend. 
3. Rivals foster competition. In contrast, enemies foster hatred. 
4. The synonyms of a rival are opponents, competitor, foe, nemesis, challenger, contender, contestant, antagonist, and corival. On the other hand, the synonyms of the word enemy are the opposition, adversary, bandit, and combatant. 
5. The antonyms of the word rival are partner and ally. In contrast, the antonyms of the word enemy are friend and ally.

Conclusion

Thus, the words rival and enemy have considerable differences. The word rival originates from the Latin word rivalis originally meaning a person using the same stream as another. On the other hand, the word enemy originates from the Latin word inimicus which means not a friend. 

Rivals foster competition. In contrast, enemies foster hatred. The word rival came into popular use from the 16th century onwards. The antonyms of the word rival are partner and ally. In contrast, the antonyms of the word enemy are friend and ally. To conclude, the words rival and enemy vary substantially. 

References

1. https://wikidiff.com/enemy/rival 
2. https://answerstoall.com/miscellaneous/is-rival-and-enemy-the-same/