as in fighting
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in competing
to engage in a contest
the two teams, which have long been archrivals, will battle on the court for the state championship
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in facing
to enter into contest or conflict with
the two top-seeded tennis players battled each other for almost three hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in combating
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in opposing
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of battling
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Larson has spent the past eight years battling Minnesota for the state’s top prep players and will use the newfound recruiting cache that comes along with that Gophers logo on his pullover.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
Crews made progress Saturday battling a smoky wildfire in southern California that broke out a day earlier and prompted mandatory evacuations.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Fire at superfund site Drone video shows firefighters battling a massive fire overnight Friday on East Main Street.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
After battling a rare adrenal gland cancer for the past five years, Gilbert had experienced all sorts of side effects that can spring up from treatments and medications.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2026
That leaves Jeremy Smith as the starting left tackle; and Oscar Colon and Manasseh Ripert battling at right tackle.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
In addition to battling Iran in the airspace in tandem with Operation Epic Fury, Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion has targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon with thousands of airstrikes that have displaced over 1 million Lebanese residents.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
Authorities were battling a massive blaze at Kuwait International Airport today after a drone attack hit fuel tanks there, the Kuwaiti army said.
—Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
And, he’s been battling with that.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Larson has spent the past eight years battling Minnesota for the state’s top prep players and will use the newfound recruiting cache that comes along with that Gophers logo on his pullover.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
Crews made progress Saturday battling a smoky wildfire in southern California that broke out a day earlier and prompted mandatory evacuations.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Fire at superfund site Drone video shows firefighters battling a massive fire overnight Friday on East Main Street.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
After battling a rare adrenal gland cancer for the past five years, Gilbert had experienced all sorts of side effects that can spring up from treatments and medications.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2026
That leaves Jeremy Smith as the starting left tackle; and Oscar Colon and Manasseh Ripert battling at right tackle.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
In addition to battling Iran in the airspace in tandem with Operation Epic Fury, Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion has targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon with thousands of airstrikes that have displaced over 1 million Lebanese residents.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
Authorities were battling a massive blaze at Kuwait International Airport today after a drone attack hit fuel tanks there, the Kuwaiti army said.
—Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battling
Adjective
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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,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
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But this story isn’t just for pro-fighting fans.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The legislation, the latest in a long effort by some lawmakers of both parties to rein in the price of insulin, faces many hurdles, including concerns about the cost and other competing congressional priorities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Our guys were locked in and competing.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police Department Police said that a 28-year-old man from Rankin will be facing multiple charges in connection with the drug bust.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
One of the biggest issues facing Wall Street and the nation recently is how long the rampant enthusiasm over artificial intelligence will last.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Still, as bad actors get increasingly creative and learn how to evade the roadblocks thrown in their path, Spotify and other major streaming platforms have to continue combating the issue — and get more clever doing so.—
Kyle Eustice,
VIBE.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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One of the strategies for combatting climate change in the Tomorrow Garden is agroforestry, which integrates the cultivation of trees and crops together.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Dorman was endorsed by Stop The AI Data Center, a grassroots political action group formed by residents opposing the incoming $150 billion artificial intelligence data center from Dutch company Nebius.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
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The Association of Federal Health Organizations, which represents CVS Health and dozens of other federal health plan carriers, also weighed in with a 122-page comment opposing the notice.—
Amanda Seitz,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Wizards are talking about contending next season, once their centerpiece arrives through the draft.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
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After the second call was overturned, Twins manager Derek Shelton exploded from the dugout, contending Helsley didn’t challenge in time.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For some classes, participants are invited to harvest herbs from the Grunsfeld Children’s Growing Garden, encountering firsthand the seed-to-plate process.—
Nicole Schnitzler,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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At a time of widespread angst over runaway ticket prices, merely encountering something novel at a concert isn’t enough for many to justify the cost of getting in the door, particularly when superstars like Taylor Swift and SZA are on the road showing that innovation and value can coexist.—
Vanessa Franko,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Monahan reveals the song was a story about meeting his wife, Amber.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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The item has not been approved or denied and will be on the agenda for the Board of Estimates meeting on April 15.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battling. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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