1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of battle
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Damn Yankees was originally staged on Broadway in 1955 and centers on a baseball fan who makes a bargain with the devil, trading his soul to become a star hitter for his favorite team in their battles with the Yankees.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Austin Meek, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Build a heavily-armored door that slams shut via a trigger and control panel, and get ready to battle with the rotating turret.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
The fact his bat improved after his second big-league promotion gives him a chance to make this a competitive battle with Norby, who seemingly has more offensive upside.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Damn Yankees was originally staged on Broadway in 1955 and centers on a baseball fan who makes a bargain with the devil, trading his soul to become a star hitter for his favorite team in their battles with the Yankees.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
With Hogan Hansen also battling injuries, Michigan hasn’t seen the full pass-catching potential of its tight ends.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Build a heavily-armored door that slams shut via a trigger and control panel, and get ready to battle with the rotating turret.
—Anja Webb, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
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Congressional Democrats have not sought to change that, at least not in the current spending fight.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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The administration has also called out the arrest of Sortor, a 27-year-old conservative influencer, amid protests outside the ICE facility in Portland during what police characterized as a fight.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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These issues are not unique to the WNBA, as its affiliate league, the NBA, has weathered refereeing controversies and skirmishes over player pay for years.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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Each new development is underscored by a lingering discomfort about the racial dynamics of the skirmish and about Maja taking action where Nourou might have wanted to leave the whole thing be.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In the third quarter, FIU center Julius Pierce limped off the field with a leg injury.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Guerrero, in the first inning, connected for a towering fly ball to left field.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But international rivalry between the United States and Canada, rekindled last season with two memorable games in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, will also take center stage in February when the NHL will break for players’ participation in the Winter Olympics for the first time in over a decade.—
Rob Rossi,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Set in 1980s England, the series follows the rivalry of two men who come to a head.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Although there are lots of games to play, Lake Ridge’s victory is a promising sign that the Eagles can compete for a playoff spot, or even a district championship.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Oct. 2025
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Unless Labour, the Greens, and Your Party come to an electoral understanding, their candidates will have to compete with one another, and with other parties, over every seat, dividing the left-leaning vote and potentially allowing Reform or the Conservatives to come out on top.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Palace, 19 unbeaten, were slicker and sharper, despite their UEFA Conference League trip to face Dynamo Kyiv in Poland on Thursday.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Remember, under the current format, those were all teams coming off a wild-card series win, facing a team with most of the previous week off, just like the Tigers and Mariners.—
Ryan Ford,
Freep.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While the topical application of minoxidil is one of the most effective and popular ways to combat male pattern baldness, it is poorly absorbed by the skin.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Oct. 2025
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Leaders across the industry are fighting to combat a global luxury slowdown and searching for new ways to maintain relevancy, reinvigorate their relationships with shoppers, while improving their bottom line.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Put differently, opposing receivers have recorded the second-least fantasy points on the Panthers in 2025.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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One of the defendants, Benjamin Song — a 32-year-old former Marine Corps reservist who associates described to authorities as a cult-like ringleader who opposes the government on immigration enforcement and on other matters — shot Alvarado Police Department Lt.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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