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
Kallie Skidmore scored 28 points as Izard County (10-5) battled back from a 14-point deficit to advance to the semifinals of the Kell Classic in Swifton.
—
Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
Mike, played by a rangy, companionable Hugh Jackman, is a striving singer in Milwaukee who has battled the bottle, cannot consistently pay his mortgage, and keeps himself going by appearing at the state fair dressed up to look (and sound) like Don Ho.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Yu battled the Eaton Fire for 36 hours.
—Ross Palombo, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Lagway battled injuries during the offseason and struggled from the start, highlighted by a five-interception game during a loss at LSU, a 61-yard passing night at Miami and a three-interception effort during a 38-7 loss at Kentucky.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
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
The Ravens battled the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial division matchup, where the winner would be crowned AFC North champs and punch its ticket into the postseason, while the loser would be sent packing.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Rescuers battled high winds to reach the sole surviving climber, who spent several harrowing hours on a precarious, rocky ridgeline.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026
In footage from local station WPLG-TV, Spoelstra, 55, was at the scene, looking distraught as firefighters battled the flames.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
Mike, played by a rangy, companionable Hugh Jackman, is a striving singer in Milwaukee who has battled the bottle, cannot consistently pay his mortgage, and keeps himself going by appearing at the state fair dressed up to look (and sound) like Don Ho.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Yu battled the Eaton Fire for 36 hours.
—Ross Palombo, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Lagway battled injuries during the offseason and struggled from the start, highlighted by a five-interception game during a loss at LSU, a 61-yard passing night at Miami and a three-interception effort during a 38-7 loss at Kentucky.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
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
The Ravens battled the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial division matchup, where the winner would be crowned AFC North champs and punch its ticket into the postseason, while the loser would be sent packing.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Rescuers battled high winds to reach the sole surviving climber, who spent several harrowing hours on a precarious, rocky ridgeline.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026
In footage from local station WPLG-TV, Spoelstra, 55, was at the scene, looking distraught as firefighters battled the flames.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battled
Verb
-
That’s a far cry from the more recent format, when the final four drivers all competed in a one-race finale for the Cup title.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Caleb Edmiston is a chiropractor who, like Herrington, has competed in mixed martial arts.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This was the third time Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes faced his two younger brothers, Devils center Jack Hughes and defenseman Luke Hughes, in an NHL game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Johnson faced a series of unfortunate events during his time searching for a solution — including shutting off his gas service just before Christmas so the lines under his home would not be damaged.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Firefighters fought the fire both inside and outside the house, and additional firefighters went inside to search for people.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
-
And neither do the AI-skeptics who fought the hardest for it.—
Julie Samuels,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the December meeting, five residents opposed the censure and one was for it.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Most of Eatonville’s town council has opposed the deal since it was introduced.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Polis, who has contended the subpoena was related to potential child abuse and exploitation, is still trying to find a way to turn over some records.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
-
In opening statements last week, Semprevivo contended the church had no way of knowing about the abuse, and that Lorch was an unpaid church volunteer who bore all the responsibility for any wrongdoing.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In middle age, though, the only seaway Melville encountered was the brackish Hudson and his journeys consisted of tabulating the wool unloaded from Manchester, rum from Havana, and tea from Calcutta.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
American Express, Visa, and Capital One, which dropped 6% by midday trading, all encountered slight downward turns, signaling concern.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This phrase was born on social media and its effects can be combatted with intervention from parents.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
20 Dec. 2025
-
Pureval countered that the city leadership combatted crime through numerous measures, including implementing a stricter curfew and recruiting more officers.—
Scott Wartman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Moore took a few steps to his left before pitching the ball to fellow receiver Jauan Jennings, who raced to his right as if to run.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Hurricanes raced to a 9-0 lead on back-to-back dunks by freshman Shelton Henderson, extended the gap to 17-4 and led 47-33 at halftime.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battled. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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