1
: a fight between dogs
broadly
: a fiercely disputed contest
2
: a fight between two or more fighter planes usually at close quarters
dogfight
intransitive verb
Examples of dogfight in a Sentence
He was shot down in a dogfight over enemy territory.
The election has turned into a real dogfight.
Recent Examples on the Web
What is clear, however, is that Google’s latest Samsung-busting trade-in deal, and Apple’s brief trade-in promotion, shows that major smartphone manufacturers are in a discount dogfight.
—
Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The Battle of Endor and death of Vader As the Imperial Fleet and the Rebellion dogfight in space, and Han, Leia, and Chewie battle Empire forces on the ground, Luke and Vader duel on Death Star II.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
Four days of fighting was marked by an extensive air battle, one of the largest dogfights since World War II, before the two nuclear rivals reached a ceasefire agreement following U.S. diplomatic efforts.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Pakistan, which said the planes had bombed an empty hillside and not a camp, launched a retaliatory incursion into Indian airspace that led to a dogfight between the two air forces, leading to the capture of an Indian pilot.
—Asif Shahzad, USA Today, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
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Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The Battle of Endor and death of Vader As the Imperial Fleet and the Rebellion dogfight in space, and Han, Leia, and Chewie battle Empire forces on the ground, Luke and Vader duel on Death Star II.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
Four days of fighting was marked by an extensive air battle, one of the largest dogfights since World War II, before the two nuclear rivals reached a ceasefire agreement following U.S. diplomatic efforts.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Pakistan, which said the planes had bombed an empty hillside and not a camp, launched a retaliatory incursion into Indian airspace that led to a dogfight between the two air forces, leading to the capture of an Indian pilot.
—Asif Shahzad, USA Today, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Cite this Entry
“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dogfight. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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