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
In July 2023, firefighters battled a blaze on the property for four days after a conveyor belt fire spread to bark chip piles and structures, according to local fire and rescue officials.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 May 2026
The Red Sox had battled the Atlanta Braves to a 2-2 score, but reliever Danny Coulombe opened the sixth inning by allowing an infield single and back-to-back walks to load the bases with no outs.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Evans battled a hamstring issue before breaking his collarbone and wound up missing nine games.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Anne Hathaway battled a secret medical condition for ten years before finally undergoing surgery.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Sullivan battled multiple illnesses while her body struggled to protect itself.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Dye returns as the supe Bombsight, who appeared in Season 5 and briefly battled Soldier Boy before giving up his super strength and immortality caused by the V1 serum.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 22 May 2026
An ex-Celtic who once was considered one of the NBA’s best defenders, Williams has battled injuries throughout his NBA career, missing at least 21 games in each of his eight seasons.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Schlitz battled Anheuser-Busch for years for the title of America's top-selling beer, but its popularity waned in recent years.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 May 2026
The Red Sox had battled the Atlanta Braves to a 2-2 score, but reliever Danny Coulombe opened the sixth inning by allowing an infield single and back-to-back walks to load the bases with no outs.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Evans battled a hamstring issue before breaking his collarbone and wound up missing nine games.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Anne Hathaway battled a secret medical condition for ten years before finally undergoing surgery.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Sullivan battled multiple illnesses while her body struggled to protect itself.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Dye returns as the supe Bombsight, who appeared in Season 5 and briefly battled Soldier Boy before giving up his super strength and immortality caused by the V1 serum.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 22 May 2026
An ex-Celtic who once was considered one of the NBA’s best defenders, Williams has battled injuries throughout his NBA career, missing at least 21 games in each of his eight seasons.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Schlitz battled Anheuser-Busch for years for the title of America's top-selling beer, but its popularity waned in recent years.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battled
Verb
-
This past winter In Aspen, Lobos served as the official tequila sponsor of the Snow Polo Championships, where Osorio competed in a friendly match alongside Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras.—
Gina Pace,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Four area teams from the greater Fort Worth-area competed for titles, with one taking home back-to-back gold.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
This is not the first time Abiy has faced such accusations.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
Hernandez, who is transgender, has faced harassment and ire from anti-trans protesters and conservative pundits during the past two years.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The memory of that episode—and of the country’s long and bloody civil war, fought from 1975 to 1990—still looms.—
Euan Ward,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
-
José Palma, national coordinator of the National TPS Alliance — an advocacy group that has fought in federal courts against the cancellation of TPS for several countries—welcomed the extension of protections for the Lebanese.—
Gisela Salomon,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Natalee's mother, Beth, opposed the request, however.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
That same month, the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House opposed Anthropic's plan to expand access to its powerful Mythos model.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Verb
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But organizers contended that a union would give them the legal right to a seat at the table in decisions about their jobs.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
Charter leaders and advocates have contended that charters are underfunded by CPS compared to district-run schools.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
But what about those who have already encountered visitors from outer space?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Both plans encountered staunch opposition from environmental groups and farming advocates and were eventually withdrawn.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The awards, created by Prince William, are designed to inspire new environmental ideas and initiatives — and optimism that climate change and other challenges can be combated.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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In the midst of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, TNG also combated racial discrimination in the news industry in hiring and promotion.—
Errol Salamon,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These two great rivals never raced each other again.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
After exchanging blows, the youngster raced on to a Djokovic drop shot before exquisitely returning with a faint backhand of his own, leaving his opponent with his hands on his knees in disbelief.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battled. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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