battle line

noun

Synonyms of battle linenext
1
: a line along which a battle is fought
2
: a line defining the positions of opposing groups in a conflict or controversy
usually used in plural
battle lines were drawn over economic policies

Examples of battle line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Other candidates, hoping to separate themselves in an extremely crowded field have been unafraid to draw battle lines on this specific proposal, giving some insight into the deep divisions. Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026 Familiar battle lines were drawn around Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s contentious push to raise commercial tax rates to provide residential relief, as the state Senate prepares to take up Wu’s proposal for the first time since killing it in late 2024. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026 Those battle lines appeared to persist when the House and Senate announced a plan for a state budget that would include billions in tax relief. Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026 The key battle line however, was Greene's campaigning for the adminstration to release the entirety of ‘Epstein files'. Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for battle line

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of battle line was in 1751

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Battle line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battle%20line. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on battle line

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!