1
as in competed
to engage in a contest
the two teams, which have long been archrivals, will battle on the court for the state championship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in fought
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 opposed
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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Recent Examples of battled
This game was physical at times as both teams battled hard.
—
Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Burke helped lead Fire Country as Vince Leone, the tough-as-nails battalion chief running Station 42 and calling the shots as his team battled wildfires and pulled off daring rescues.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
But despite the loss, Lucas was pleased with the way several of the players for the Golden Hawks (2-1) came through in the clutch and how the team battled back after falling behind 6-1.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
With God’s help, Andrew has battled back from the edge of death.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
All but Hoeing, who battled a shoulder issue early in the season, contributed significantly to what was by many measures MLB’s best bullpen in 2025.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Tobyhanna Township Volunteer Fire Company Fire crews battled the blaze for about eight hours, braving high winds, ice and frigid temperatures before bringing it under control, according to the Tobyhanna Township Volunteer Fire Company.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Nebraska didn’t make its first field goal until almost six minutes into the game and battled through several cold spurts before capitalizing on some opportunities in transition in the second half.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Aledo battled from wire to wire, but the Bearcats missed a three pointer from the top of the key at the final buzzer to give Joshua a 33-31 upset in a Class 5A Division I area contest on Thursday at Godley High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Burke helped lead Fire Country as Vince Leone, the tough-as-nails battalion chief running Station 42 and calling the shots as his team battled wildfires and pulled off daring rescues.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
But despite the loss, Lucas was pleased with the way several of the players for the Golden Hawks (2-1) came through in the clutch and how the team battled back after falling behind 6-1.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
With God’s help, Andrew has battled back from the edge of death.
—Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
All but Hoeing, who battled a shoulder issue early in the season, contributed significantly to what was by many measures MLB’s best bullpen in 2025.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Tobyhanna Township Volunteer Fire Company Fire crews battled the blaze for about eight hours, braving high winds, ice and frigid temperatures before bringing it under control, according to the Tobyhanna Township Volunteer Fire Company.
—Joe Brandt, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Nebraska didn’t make its first field goal until almost six minutes into the game and battled through several cold spurts before capitalizing on some opportunities in transition in the second half.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Aledo battled from wire to wire, but the Bearcats missed a three pointer from the top of the key at the final buzzer to give Joshua a 33-31 upset in a Class 5A Division I area contest on Thursday at Godley High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battled
Verb
-
Cynthia Lee Fontaine, a cancer survivor and RuPaul's Drag Race icon who competed on three different seasons of the American edition of the show, also paid tribute Maxi on social media.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
-
During Youth Baseball’s festivities at Cliffridge Park, a pregame ceremony honored athletes who have spent 10 years in the program — dubbed Decade on the Diamond — along with the teams that competed in Youth Baseball’s World Series last season.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the weeks since, NYC and the surrounding areas have faced frigid temperatures, which has allowed for the white stuff to linger.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Brazil, which faced duties as high as 50%, along with Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa, would face lower rates, noted Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Iran has threatened to attack American bases in the region if it is attacked, and an escalation could also draw in Israel, which fought a 12-day war with Iran in June.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The two foes fought a 12-day war in June.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Images of piles of body bags and videos of government agents in Iran firing indiscriminately on protesters opposed to the country’s repressive regime have left experts and world leaders alike struggling to investigate just how many people the ayatollah’s forces have killed in recent weeks.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In a Thursday court filing, the defense opposed a recent prosecution motion to treat the case as a grand conspiracy rather than a simple snap protest.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Yes, Republicans have contended that Congress only intended to grant birthright citizenship to Black Americans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Bass also contended in interviews that Crowley failed to inform her of the fire danger presented by forecasted Santa Ana winds, despite those warnings being widely publicized by the National Weather Service and in media reports for days in advance.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Before moving to the two-story structure’s exterior stairs, SWAT officers encountered two barking dogs.—
Chase Rogers,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Law enforcement officers later arrived at the motel and encountered Pysher and the victim.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Although farmers combated the fungus with a shift to supposedly resistant robusta crops in the 1950s, the reprieve was short-lived.—
Lily Peck,
The Conversation,
17 Feb. 2026
-
This phrase was born on social media and its effects can be combatted with intervention from parents.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Chatfield raced out to an 11-3 lead, but Staples-Motley closed the dual on a 38-3 run to claim the crown.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2026
-
And although most of his contemporaries who have hit the three-quarter century mark are enjoying retirement or at least slowing their roll, the ZZ Top founding member raced into 2026 with plenty planned, including a gig Saturday at Variety Playhouse.—
Dave Gil de Rubio,
AJC.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battled. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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