embattled
adjective
em·bat·tled
im-ˈba-tᵊld 
1
a
: ready to fight : prepared to give battle
here once the embattled farmers stood—
R. W. Emerson
R. W. Emerson
b
: engaged in battle, conflict, or controversy
an embattled official accused of extortion
2
a
: being a site of battle, conflict, or controversy
the embattled capital
b
: characterized by conflict or controversy
an embattled presidency
Examples of embattled in a Sentence
the embattled coach of a losing team
Recent Examples on the Web
Self’s ruling served as a rare legal victory for the embattled governing body.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Troops on the frontline are fearing the worst One drone video from January, posted by the Ukraine’s 59th brigade active around the embattled strategic city of Pokrovsk, shows a Russian soldier using a crutch under each arm to try and reach cover.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Despite the title, Garland’s Civil War played more like an American road trip movie that followed a group of journalists making their way to Washington, D.C. for one last interview with an embattled and unnamed president (Nick Offerman).
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Hegseth, however, has the strong support of Trump, who appeared with his embattled nominee, and director of national intelligence nominee at the Army-Navy football game on Saturday.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for embattled
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Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Troops on the frontline are fearing the worst One drone video from January, posted by the Ukraine’s 59th brigade active around the embattled strategic city of Pokrovsk, shows a Russian soldier using a crutch under each arm to try and reach cover.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Despite the title, Garland’s Civil War played more like an American road trip movie that followed a group of journalists making their way to Washington, D.C. for one last interview with an embattled and unnamed president (Nick Offerman).
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Hegseth, however, has the strong support of Trump, who appeared with his embattled nominee, and director of national intelligence nominee at the Army-Navy football game on Saturday.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for embattled
Cite this Entry
“Embattled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embattled. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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