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
Harris found the net in the 70th minute when Garcia battled for possession at midfield and found Harris, whose shot nestled inside the back pos for a 3-0 lead.
—
Daily News, 14 May 2026
In their closing statements, the lawyers in the case battled over which billionaires were the most believable as witnesses.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis repped his hometown team as the Lakers battled the Rockets in the playoffs.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
The Wolves have battled through injuries, even in these playoffs, to reach this point.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026
But Barker battled for the rebound and put it back before her teammates piled on top of her in celebration.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Morton famously battled for starting duties against future Hall of Famer Roger Staubach throughout the 1971 season, but ended the year in his former role as Dallas’ backup.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 12 May 2026
At that time, hosts battled for ratings and guests, prompted by the fracturing of the late-night landscape after Johnny Carson’s departure.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 May 2026
Crews battled a late-night fire Friday at the old train depot office building in Maplewood, Minnesota.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Daily News, 14 May 2026
In their closing statements, the lawyers in the case battled over which billionaires were the most believable as witnesses.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis repped his hometown team as the Lakers battled the Rockets in the playoffs.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
The Wolves have battled through injuries, even in these playoffs, to reach this point.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026
But Barker battled for the rebound and put it back before her teammates piled on top of her in celebration.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
Morton famously battled for starting duties against future Hall of Famer Roger Staubach throughout the 1971 season, but ended the year in his former role as Dallas’ backup.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 12 May 2026
At that time, hosts battled for ratings and guests, prompted by the fracturing of the late-night landscape after Johnny Carson’s departure.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 May 2026
Crews battled a late-night fire Friday at the old train depot office building in Maplewood, Minnesota.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battled
Verb
-
Budge’s brother, Scott Porter, competed at fullback alongside Tom Rathman in the early 1980s.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
American Heritage-Delray competed against Lake Highland Prep for the sixth consecutive season in the state final.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Chelsea’s squad demographic falls somewhere in between but is probably closer to the former than the latter, and a football legend with his resume should not encounter the authority problems faced by owner BlueCo’s previous hires.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
As Spanish speakers, some of whom speak little to no English, the mothers on the committee had faced challenges in communicating with teachers, administrators and city leaders about their children’s needs.—
Mariana Navarrete Villegas,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Marner fought through the contact, hit the brakes, deked the puck around Dostál with a nifty move between his legs and potted the goal to give Vegas an early 1-0 lead.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
That is what has sparked the debate within the audiovisual sector that has fought hard for its own identity, its own budget.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
All Democrats opposed the nominations.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
The new space was 4,000 square feet(as opposed to the original space’s 800) with a full bar and a larger kitchen.—
Amy Reyes,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Newport Harbor contended but was disqualified for an early take off, Sailors coach Kevin Potter confirmed.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
Prejean Boller, a Catholic, contended that she was wrongly ousted for expressing her beliefs.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Of course, not all care is good care, as anyone who has ever encountered a clumsy dentist will tell you.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
The Marshall Project reviewed dozens of incident and offense reports and interviewed advocates, attorneys and individuals in Palm Beach County who encountered the Sheriff’s Office.—
Shoshana Walter,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
Lee became the first Giants hitter to be credited with one against the Dodgers since 1981, when Larry Herndon raced around the bases against Fernando Valenzuela at Candlestick Park.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The sound was moving, and Larry raced for our plane and turned on the emergency transmitter.—
Ben East,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battled. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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