fighting 1 of 3

Definition of fightingnext

fighting

2 of 3

noun

fighting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of fight
1
2
3
as in competing
to engage in a contest everyone on that street seems to be fighting to see who can create the gaudiest holiday lighting display

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fighting
Adjective
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, 21 Feb. 2026 But this story isn’t just for pro-fighting fans. Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025 Some had joined Ukrainian combat units as volunteers, while others have sought to assist the Ukrainian people in non-fighting capacities. Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023 But the computer model couldn’t distinguish fighting roosters from non-fighting roosters. Jeff Horwitz, WSJ, 17 Oct. 2021
Noun
Debel is one of 55 Lebanese towns and villages currently occupied by Israeli forces and four miles west of Bint Jbeil, a place believed by the IDF to be a Hezbollah stronghold and the scene of recent fighting. Angus Watson, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026 Iran has insisted that the fighting in Lebanon remain paused in order to continue peace talks with the United States. Npr Staff, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026 There was plenty of sword fighting, martial arts, explosions, fireballs and fireworks. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026 There has been no new fighting since a December ceasefire, though tensions remain high. ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 The recommendation comes with the market exploring new highs for stocks despite the Iran war, and seeing strong returns in commodities, in part because of the fighting. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026 Nothing is guaranteed, but the streak has given Carroll a fighting shot. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026 In 2024, three girls were arrested at the Towson Town Center for fighting and being disorderly, and at the end of 2025, another teen was arrested for a stabbing at the mall. Ashley Paul, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 What is especially galling, some victims said, is that their compensation for years of fighting for justice will boil down to a day’s pay for a Purdue attorney like Huebner, who charges $2,935 an hour. Craig R. McCoy, ProPublica, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Orange County fire officials said firefighters were fighting the blaze on the ground and from the air. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026 Viel also finished the game by fighting Podkolzin. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026 In Langesfeld’s case, Oscar Health repeatedly declined to cover the costly cancer-fighting drug therapy, arguing that the prescribed drug was not medically necessary or federally approved to treat his type of cancer. Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026 Reports indicate that Russian backed Africa Corps mercenaries are fighting alongside Malian forces in several locations, including the capital. Jewel Bright, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026 And have a shot at the playoffs, even fighting it out with the Cowboys, who got a lot better on the first night of the draft, and with the Eagles; and with Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026 More than 500 forestry commission personnel were among those fighting the fires. Mike Snider, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026 Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko also scored while Jet Greaves stopped 20 shots for Columbus, which is fighting to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026 Troubled waters In a digitally evolving society, Kodak has been fighting to keep its place and relevancy. Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fighting
Noun
  • Audrey Hudson, twenty-four, is a gifted battlefield surgeon who feigns muteness to comfort Carter Reynolds, a combat soldier deafened by an explosion.
    Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The emerging ability of sea drones to detect and disable sea mines and spot submarines was supposed to be a core feature of Navy littoral combat ships.
    Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Mali, alongside neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso, has long been battling armed groups affiliated with al Qaeda and the Islamic State group, a fight that has escalated over the past decade.
    CBS News, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Mali, alongside neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso, has long been battling armed groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, a fight that has escalated over the past decade.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Using Hart on Johnson allowed the Knicks to put 6-7 forward OG Anunoby — normally their defensive stopper against opposing wings — on 6-10 center Onyeka Okongwu, who thrives in the pick-and-pop game.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Some of the progressives now opposing Iron Dome funding are arguing that Israel does not need the assistance.
    Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Biles celebrated Owens' birthday from Japan while competing in the Tokyo Olympics, sharing a series of photos to Instagram alongside a sweet caption.
    Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Our guys were excited, competing hard.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • For those of us interested in governing and not bickering, this is a good thing.
    Gail Slater, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
  • In some states, lawmakers are still bickering over how money should be spent.
    Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The plainclothes detectives, who were wearing NYPD vests, then dragged Brown on the floor, over shards of broken glass, to the front of the store, ordering him to stop resisting.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Kessman suggests resisting the temptation to start deep-cleaning or creating an entire organizing system at this stage.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Also, American defense technology company Anduril Industries just announced a strategic partnership with the Ukrainian drone detection and electronic warfare firm Kara Dag Technologies.
    Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Sue Halpern assesses the current threat of digital warfare and how the Administration may have weakened American defenses.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Among the most controversial recent amendments to German cultural policy came in 2024, when German parliament approved a declaration aimed at combating antisemitism.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Keerat Sharma, Google's vice president and general manager of ads privacy and safety, said the advancement of generative AI as a part of Google's defense system has led to more powerful results in combatting problematic content.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fighting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fighting. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on fighting

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster