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
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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
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Rodriguez noted that the law at the center of the battle doesn’t permit her to consider the seriousness of the offense nor the impact on the victims.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
To battle terrorists in Nigeria?
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
After a 15-year battle against world champion Garry Kasparov, Judit Polgár revolutionizes the sport’s patriarchal culture to become one of the greatest chess prodigies in history and the greatest woman chess player of all time.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Rodriguez noted that the law at the center of the battle doesn’t permit her to consider the seriousness of the offense nor the impact on the victims.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
Since then, Ross has battled uterine cancer, heart disease and complications from her type 1 diabetes, including sight loss in her right eye.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
To battle terrorists in Nigeria?
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
The impact of losing enhanced premium subsidies The political fight around enhanced subsidies, which were enacted in 2021 under the Biden administration, is playing out during the ACA marketplace's open enrollment, when would-be enrollees are picking their health plans for 2026.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The fights are being broadcast on DAZN pay-per-view.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Things then turned violent when someone tried to lunge at Black as marshals walked him out of the courtroom, leading to a skirmish appearing to involve about a dozen people.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Other conflict hotspots include India/Pakistan following a deadly skirmish in 2025, Congo/Rwanda, and the ongoing civil war in Sudan.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Fears shot 0 of 7 from the field, scoring four points on six free-throw attempts, but tallied nine assists.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Nebraska tied the game with an extra point after Missouri students rushed the field, celebrating an apparent victory.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Small and middle powers, particularly those from the Global South, are stepping into this breach and providing an essential public good that great powers, bound by their own rivalries, increasingly cannot.—
Galip Dalay,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
And there is a friendly rivalry there.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
It is measured in the millions of students striving for opportunity—most of them raising children, working jobs, serving in uniform, or making rent and mortgage payments with other bills competing for their attention.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The Co-Production Market will feature 22 feature films and five documentaries competing for $20,000 in cash grants.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Still, the company faces the same existential headwinds that have scared other would-be moguls away from the news business.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Chicago is facing a dangerous lake-effect snow event early Monday morning.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Over the course of his administration, major pieces of legislation were passed to combat poverty in the states, including the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the Food Stamp Act of 1964 and the Social Security Act of 1965.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Specifically to combat ice on side walks, steps, etc.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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How many voters supported, opposed Measure G In Nevada County, the largest portion of the library district, voters supported Measure G with by a 7-to-3 margin.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Her sentiments seemed to oppose the ongoing family drama amid reports of tension within her extended family, including her son Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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