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
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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
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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
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1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
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4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of battle
James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Thor is the God of Thunder, a mountain of a man who has weathered many a battle in his time, but whose actions in a war fought long ago now haunt his waking hours.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In it, Harrison Ford’s character Paul — a therapist battling Parkinson’s disease — finds himself in a doctor’s office waiting room, seated next to Gerry, played by Fox.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
One of the latest battles emerged recently in Imperial County, where a court fight has erupted between the city of Imperial and a developer who wants to build a nearly 1 million-square-foot computer center on vacant land along the city’s border.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Thor is the God of Thunder, a mountain of a man who has weathered many a battle in his time, but whose actions in a war fought long ago now haunt his waking hours.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Islamists battled for their own theocratic nation, and bands of Christian cultists—whom locals, naming them according to their most notorious act, called chop-chop—severed the heads of those deemed unholy in villages and towns across Mindanao.
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In it, Harrison Ford’s character Paul — a therapist battling Parkinson’s disease — finds himself in a doctor’s office waiting room, seated next to Gerry, played by Fox.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
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There was one fight that happened organically when Aspirot dropped the gloves with Kirby Dach after a net-front battle.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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Democrats could also attempt next week to strip the DHS component from the legislation and fund the rest of the government while the ICE political fight continues to play out.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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At least four videos appear to contradict the administration’s account that Pretti was holding a weapon during the skirmish leading up to his death.—
Karen Cortes,
NBC news,
26 Jan. 2026
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That led to a small skirmish with the governor’s office.—
Josie Reich,
Hartford Courant,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While the average data center is around 100,000 square feet, the size of a large strip mall, some hyperscale data centers cover more than a million square feet; that’s 15 football fields.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
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Then identify 3-5 specific roles or industries where my existing skills would transfer well, and that offer stronger job security and growth potential than my previous field.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cal was led by a pair of players who were new to the rivalry.—
Harold Gutmann,
Mercury News,
25 Jan. 2026
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The lawsuit is the latest chapter in the long rivalry between Hill and Rose.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Much of the movie's story revolves around Marty's chaotic efforts to make enough money to travel to Japan and compete in a tournament there.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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The Associated Press reported that the grim discovery underscores the tactics used by criminal groups competing for control of territory and trafficking routes, especially along the country’s coastline.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cubans already face constant blackouts and long lines at gas stations from a dwindling supply of fuel.—
Uriel Blanco,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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Among the big names were Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, both of whom appeared to visit Epstein’s island before the financier faced federal charges in 2019.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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From cleaning your bathroom to combating stinky feet, keep reading for 10 genius ways to use dryer sheets in your home.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
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The Democrats largely agreed about issues such as combating climate change, accelerating the transition to clean energy and protecting California’s water resources.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lawmakers opposed to the move tore up agenda papers, shouted slogans and blew whistles, bringing proceedings to a halt.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
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In the wake of the fatal shootings of American citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers during operations on the streets of Minneapolis, a recent YouGov poll shows that more Americans support abolishing ICE than those opposed.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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