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
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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
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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
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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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4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of battle
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 Jan. 2026
To me, that’s about half the battle on the defensive side.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In it, Harrison Ford’s character Paul — a therapist battling Parkinson’s disease — finds himself in a doctor’s office waiting room, seated next to Gerry, played by Fox.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
The same video also briefly shows an NYPD officer shining a flashlight toward Zay and his entourage, a moment that now appears eerily prophetic as the rapper faces the most serious legal battle of his life.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 Jan. 2026
To me, that’s about half the battle on the defensive side.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
Islamists battled for their own theocratic nation, and bands of Christian cultists—whom locals, naming them according to their most notorious act, called chop-chop—severed the heads of those deemed unholy in villages and towns across Mindanao.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In it, Harrison Ford’s character Paul — a therapist battling Parkinson’s disease — finds himself in a doctor’s office waiting room, seated next to Gerry, played by Fox.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
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There was one fight that happened organically when Aspirot dropped the gloves with Kirby Dach after a net-front battle.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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Democrats could also attempt next week to strip the DHS component from the legislation and fund the rest of the government while the ICE political fight continues to play out.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At least four videos appear to contradict the administration’s account that Pretti was holding a weapon during the skirmish leading up to his death.—
Karen Cortes,
NBC news,
26 Jan. 2026
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That led to a small skirmish with the governor’s office.—
Josie Reich,
Hartford Courant,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While the average data center is around 100,000 square feet, the size of a large strip mall, some hyperscale data centers cover more than a million square feet; that’s 15 football fields.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
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Then identify 3-5 specific roles or industries where my existing skills would transfer well, and that offer stronger job security and growth potential than my previous field.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cal was led by a pair of players who were new to the rivalry.—
Harold Gutmann,
Mercury News,
25 Jan. 2026
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The lawsuit is the latest chapter in the long rivalry between Hill and Rose.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Much of the movie's story revolves around Marty's chaotic efforts to make enough money to travel to Japan and compete in a tournament there.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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The Associated Press reported that the grim discovery underscores the tactics used by criminal groups competing for control of territory and trafficking routes, especially along the country’s coastline.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Marine Le Pen faces potential disqualification from the 2027 presidential election after a March 2025 conviction for embezzling EU funds—a 5-year ban from public office unless overturned on appeal.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Yard signs, flags, murals, memorials, ribbons and graffiti silently speak volumes of what this city and region have faced, conveying the idea that life here doesn’t move on from grief but instead moves forward hand in hand with it and forever changed by it.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The metro district advised their residents via email that their system wasn't broken, but rather was being used to combat the dry season.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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Shares in those and other Japanese corporations are on a tear as Japan’s central bank raises rates to combat inflation after years of deflation.—
John Hyatt,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ongoing violent conflicts continue across the country between ICE agents and those opposed to immigration raids and arrests.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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The vote on the five-year rate adjustment was 3-1 with Councilmember Jenny Maeda opposed.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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