fighting

1 of 2

adjective

fight·​ing ˈfī-tiŋ 

1

: designed, intended, or trained to fight in combat

a fighting ship

a powerful fighting force

fighting men

2

: fit to fight

a boxer in fighting condition

3

: having or showing a readiness to fight : aggressive

What he does is break down the fighting spirit, not to mention the bodies, of his opponents.

—The New York Times

see also fighting chance, fighting word

fighting

2 of 2

present participle of fight entry 1

Examples of fighting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

After having two children and settling into post-fighting life on her farm in Riverside, Rousey seriously began to consider an MMA return last year. — CBS News, 17 May 2026

Speaking ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Johnson told the BBC that the troops should be sent to peaceful regions in non-fighting roles. — ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026

But this story isn’t just for pro-fighting fans. — Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025

Some had joined Ukrainian combat units as volunteers, while others have sought to assist the Ukrainian people in non-fighting capacities. — Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023

But the computer model couldn’t distinguish fighting roosters from non-fighting roosters. — Jeff Horwitz, WSJ, 17 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fighting

• fighting chair
• fighting chance
• fighting/struggling for breath
• fighting word
• Siamese fighting fish

Rhymes for fighting

• biting
• blighting
• citing
• lighting
• righting
• sighting
• siting
• slighting
• whiting
• writing
• alighting
• backbiting