1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to fight
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 to oppose
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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of battle
Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Today’s busy news cycle includes stories about state pension costs, refugee healthcare cuts, budget battles, and environmental violations close to home.
—The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 May 2026
Since its relaunch in 2025, iconic hip-hop labels Cash Money Records and No Limit Records, as well as music producers Hit-Boy and Mike Will Made-It, have battled.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
But Powell says the battle is not over yet.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Today’s busy news cycle includes stories about state pension costs, refugee healthcare cuts, budget battles, and environmental violations close to home.
—The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
For years, the Fortnite developer has battled with the iPhone maker over antitrust accusations concerning its in-app payment processing.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 May 2026
Since its relaunch in 2025, iconic hip-hop labels Cash Money Records and No Limit Records, as well as music producers Hit-Boy and Mike Will Made-It, have battled.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
The fight, though, kept getting delayed.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
While Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first Black president and a global icon – having spent 27 years in jail for his role in the fight against apartheid – his wife Winnie, who was arguably just as instrumental in that fight, has been widely maligned.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination for the second straight game with a clutch Game 5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, but celebrations were briefly halted when a skirmish erupted over a controversial hit on Sidney Crosby after the final buzzer.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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Walker, in a 10-pitch skirmish, drew a walk.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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With a pour of salsa roja, tart and hot (but not overly so), or a more judicious application of the punishingly spicy salsa verde, the bean and cheese transforms into a kinetic flavor field of curves and spikes.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
Beran dumped a double onto the foul line in left field with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Geneva (19-3, 8-2) the lead for good.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Westin was the dominant force in Friday’s crosstown rivalry game.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
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Nilan and Miller spent a lot of those minutes punching each other, Nilan as a Canadien and Miller as a Bruin, during the 1980s iteration of the ancient rivalry.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
Verb
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His interest in the game sparked from watching his older brother, Nick, compete at Stagg and Joliet Junior College.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
Sasaki is one of three young pitchers at the back end of the rotation, along with right-hander Emmet Sheehan and left-hander Justin Wrobleski, who are competing for two spots once Snell returns.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Sandwiched between two hegemonic powers and facing an uncertain future, an emerging generation of artists, writers, and designers began exploring new areas of subjectivity.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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The demonstration also touched on various issues that Americans have been facing including the rising cost of food and gas due in part to tariffs, the war in Iran and immigration sweeps that experts have said contributed to a shortage of agricultural workers.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Charles is expected to visit a grassroots community organization, Harlem Grown, which created a sustainable after-school urban farming initiative in an effort to combat food insecurity.—
Emma Caughlan,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
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The findings could help scientists trying to combat how much methane cattle emit—methane is a greenhouse gas, and the animals are one of the top agricultural sources of these emissions.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier, the Moon in Libra opposes direct Mercury in Aries, so thoughts may move faster than your emotional response, making conversations feel slightly off or rushed.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Puth isn’t a flashy showman by any means, staying mostly confined to the front of the stage between two opposing keyboards.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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