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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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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of battle
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026
The second floor covers the entirety of Obama’s two terms in office, with walls dedicated to the auto bailout and financial crisis, the battle for the Affordable Care Act, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Current New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was 7 years old while the Knicks and Spurs battled in the Finals for the first time.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
The orders frequently arise during lengthy legal battles that cost parents upwards of millions of dollars while funding a costly network of attorneys, guardians, evaluators and therapists.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026
The second floor covers the entirety of Obama’s two terms in office, with walls dedicated to the auto bailout and financial crisis, the battle for the Affordable Care Act, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Verb
In the race for mayor in Los Angeles, incumbent Karen Bass advanced to a November runoff, with former reality TV star Spencer Pratt and City Councilmember Nithya Raman still battling for the second spot.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Current New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was 7 years old while the Knicks and Spurs battled in the Finals for the first time.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
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The larger federal action was still a budget-and-eligibility fight dressed up in the language of reform.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
Congress, not the budget, had the last word Behind the single lease sat a much larger fight.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Inconspicuous blows against Denver escalated to skirmishes.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
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Meanwhile, the religious right profited handsomely from the skirmish.—
Isaac Butler,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Demuth led the field through four ballots, but after Lindell failed to advance to the fifth ballot, Qualls took the lead and the number of votes cast fell.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
-
On the opposite side of the field, Wilson and Rodríguez stood near the first-base dugout alongside Rays mascots.—
Chantz Martin OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Clash in Italy will be one of the biggest premium live events for WWE in the wake of WrestleMania 42, featuring four title matches and a rivalry renewed.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
-
These two had a strong match at Full Gear 2025, and on a stage as large as Wembley Stadium, there is plenty of reason to revisit the rivalry.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Guests and locals compete for a time slot where treatments dip into jars of Valmont and Biologique Recherche products.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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Brad Sugars, a business coach and founder of ActionCOACH, added that as entry-level opportunities decline for recent college graduates, teenagers are also competing with them.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
With California facing increasingly destructive wildfires, experts and officials have long urged the strategic removal of dense, flammable vegetation that can erupt into particularly destructive flames from a lightning bolt or the spark of a power line.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
But rescuers caution that the remaining four men face an equally dangerous journey to safety.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Comedian and actor Adam Buxton will attempt to combat his mid-life crisis and existential anxiety in an Audible podcast series.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
Animal owners can most effectively help combat the spread by monitoring their pets and livestock for symptoms of an infestation.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Laura Loomer, an influential adviser to Trump, strongly opposes its closure.—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
-
Told that the court ruled that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 does not require states to create congressional districts where nonwhite voters are in the majority, 49% of adults surveyed favored the ruling while 51% opposed it.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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