as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the playful competition over who would get the new office turned into a real dogfight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dogfight
In what should be another dogfight that isn't decided until the final minutes, give me the Knicks to grind out a road win that moves them one step closer to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
There are other distinctions between the recurring Greek-Turkish mock dogfights and any potential Israeli-Turkish ones.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
About 48 people have been killed since Wednesday, and the two countries also engaged in one of the largest aerial dogfights since World War II involving 125 fighter jets on Thursday.
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
Some 125 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets battled for over an hour in one of the biggest dogfights in recent history, according to a Pakistani security source quoted by CNN.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
There are other distinctions between the recurring Greek-Turkish mock dogfights and any potential Israeli-Turkish ones.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
About 48 people have been killed since Wednesday, and the two countries also engaged in one of the largest aerial dogfights since World War II involving 125 fighter jets on Thursday.
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
Some 125 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets battled for over an hour in one of the biggest dogfights in recent history, according to a Pakistani security source quoted by CNN.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogfight
Noun
-
McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
In the final, Waters renewed her years-long rivalry against her former doubles partner and won with ease 6,1.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
While the legal battle is ongoing, the judge's ruling is an early win for the states and a setback for the Trump administration.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
25 June 2025
-
That same month, Adams withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic primary, saying the legal battle had prevented him from effectively campaigning.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Here, Koulibaly chips the ball towards Lodi… … and Alexander-Arnold is in position to contest the aerial duel.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
Pitchers Danny Wallace and Ryan Papa combined to allow just one run on six hits in the duel with Wunsch.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
This sort of multidisciplinary excellence is rare for Olympic competition; athletes are by necessity ultra specialized.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Gregg Newton | Afp | Getty Images Amazon’s second batch of Kuiper internet satellites reached low Earth orbit on Monday, adding to its plans for a massive constellation and ramping up competition with SpaceX’s Starlink.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
In general, Ukrainian electronic warfare systems are able to jam approximately half of the incoming drones, especially those flying at lower altitudes.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
The United States would be, to put it mildly, naïve to believe that the accumulation of intelligence and modern warfare knowledge by North Korea, China and Iran presents no threat to the United States.—
Laura Thornton,
Twin Cities,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda's struggles continue as he gets eliminated once again during Q1 at the Austrian Grand Prix.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
-
The struggle was so real that Reynolds unveiled a special musical production for McElhenney's birthday devoted to teaching fans the pronunciation of his costar's last name, enlisting the help of some of his famous friends as well as members of the club's hometown.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
After Hamas conducted a surprise attack against Israel in October 2023, the group was backed in the ensuing war with Israel by Iran and its Axis of Resistance coalition of non-state actors in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
-
Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk was also a close ally of Trump during the initial stages of the trade war, further complicating the business outlook for U.S. automakers in China.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Video of the meeting showed the confrontation began during a confusing moment in the session.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2025
-
Reactive dogs deserve patience and distance, not judgment or confrontation.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogfight. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share