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
But the Cyclones reversed course, battled back and ran away with a 75-53 victory.
—
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Baltimore firefighters battled a massive fire Thursday evening, which spread to a two-story building near Morrell Park in Southwest Baltimore, according to fire officials.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
After the House and Senate battled back and forth for most of the 60-day session, the two chambers struck a deal to extend the fund, but with new rules on how money can be spent.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
At Oman's Port of Salalah, firefighters battled a blaze Wednesday at fuel storage tanks after days of Iranian attacks, according to the Oman News Agency.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Colin Dorgan battled through misery to achieve triumph for his Rhode Island boys high school hockey team on Wednesday night.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
But Blackburn battled multiple injuries with the Mets, and his stats with the Yankees were inflated by a seven-run, mop-up debut for the club.
—Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
On Sunday night, firefighters battled with the flames engulfing Forsyth House – a Victorian building next to Glasgow Central station, home to dozens of small businesses.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
Fort Worth firefighters battled a blaze potentially caused by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm Wednesday night, according to a fire department statement.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Baltimore firefighters battled a massive fire Thursday evening, which spread to a two-story building near Morrell Park in Southwest Baltimore, according to fire officials.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
After the House and Senate battled back and forth for most of the 60-day session, the two chambers struck a deal to extend the fund, but with new rules on how money can be spent.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
At Oman's Port of Salalah, firefighters battled a blaze Wednesday at fuel storage tanks after days of Iranian attacks, according to the Oman News Agency.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Colin Dorgan battled through misery to achieve triumph for his Rhode Island boys high school hockey team on Wednesday night.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Mar. 2026
But Blackburn battled multiple injuries with the Mets, and his stats with the Yankees were inflated by a seven-run, mop-up debut for the club.
—Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
On Sunday night, firefighters battled with the flames engulfing Forsyth House – a Victorian building next to Glasgow Central station, home to dozens of small businesses.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026
Fort Worth firefighters battled a blaze potentially caused by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm Wednesday night, according to a fire department statement.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battled
Verb
-
This year’s 1-seeds are filled by the same four teams who competed in the Final Four in 2025.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The two actors competed for best actor at the 98th Academy Awards.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sable has faced particular backlash over its efforts to restart a pipeline that ruptured in 2015, causing one of the biggest oil spills in state history.—
Clara Harter Los Angeles Times,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The steep fee, enacted in 2015 due to surging demand among American expatriates seeking to avoid new tax reporting requirements, faced fierce opposition.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Although the Bucks fought their way back into the game multiple times and prevented the Heat from running away with the game, Miami never trailed.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Prior to the calamitous war following the attacks of October 7, 2023, Israel fought five wars with Hamas, between 2008 and 2021.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Environmental organizations, local residents and state political leaders have strongly opposed such resumption, citing potential dangers to ocean health.—
Clara Harter Los Angeles Times,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Environmental organizations, residents and state political leaders have strongly opposed such resumption, citing potential dangers to ocean health.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Estancia, Los Amigos and University contended for postseason berths.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The company’s legal defense contended that the claims in the lawsuit lack merit and pledged to vigorously defend against them in court.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The most grinding suspicions encountered by many survivors—about whether they were ever really struck at all—may in any case be mooted in the coming years.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
-
And midway up the ascent, Herson encountered an unbelievably challenging crux.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Catholic and Lutheran churches and mutual benefit societies preserved cultural heritage, combated isolation and shaped the new state’s religious culture for generations.—
Daniel Cueto-Villalobos,
The Conversation,
26 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
-
Gasoline prices have raced closer to $4 per gallon during the war, squeezing many household budgets that are already under pressure.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The driver raced along the 710 and 5 Freeways, driving recklessly and winding through residential neighborhoods.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battled. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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