BATTLES Synonyms: 218 Similar and Opposite Words

battles 1 of 2

noun

plural of battle

as in fights

a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded

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Relevance

as in skirmishes

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street

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truces

as in actions

active fighting during the course of a war soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle

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as in rivalries

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players

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battles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of battle

as in competes

to engage in a contest the two teams, which have long been archrivals, will battle on the court for the state championship

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as in faces

to enter into contest or conflict with the two top-seeded tennis players battled each other for almost three hours

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as in combats

to oppose (someone) in physical conflict the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge

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as in opposes

to strive to reduce or eliminate we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of battles

Noun

Related Stories The project will explore Gaudí’s life, inner battles and spiritual evolution, framing the architect as a radical creative force shaped by faith and an increasingly austere existence. —

Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 16 June 2026 What follows is a wildly chaotic getaway featuring inflatable bubble-ball battles, awkward matchmaking schemes, disastrous sabotage attemptsand even an emergency dolphin CPR situation. —

Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026 And for that part, the legislation does not have a revision for the section in which the SEC emphasized is too broad, allowing the opportunity at more battles within state courts. —

Trey Wallace, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 The answers to those questions may not be immediately clear tonight, but the results could provide an early roadmap for Georgia's political battles heading into the fall. —

Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 16 June 2026 While humans still planned and supervised the mission, the operation offered a glimpse into how future battles may unfold. —

Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026 New York is moving to the epicenter of the 2028 congressional mid-decade battles. —

Jeffrey M. Wice, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026 Situated on Route 33 in Manalapan, this state park has preserved the 18th-century landscape of one of the biggest battles of the Revolutionary War, where the Continental Army ambushed the British army along their route from Philadelphia to New York City. —

Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026 Get a bunch of water guns and have battles. —

Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 9 June 2026

Verb

Starter Eric Lauer battles erratic fastball command and early damage yet completes six innings, while the Rays’ Nick Martinez matches him before a bullpen misstep to Rojas decides a tight opener. —

Liana Handler follow, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026 Right Now As the country battles a deadly second wave, international donations are helping local communities access essential items. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026 Both wholesome kids get caught in the crossfire when He-Man battles Skeletor’s army of Darth Vader lookalikes in — where else? —

Jeffrey Ressner, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026 She is left to care for her partner’s elderly mom who battles Parkinson’s and dementia. —

Idaho Statesman, 28 May 2026 An introverted young boxer with incredible ability and skill who battles to overcome low confidence, high anxiety and stage fright in pursuit of her potential. —

Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 May 2026 Besting its record from a season ago will be a win for Las Vegas, while the rest of the group battles up top. —

Sam Warren, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Unspooling in a near-future plagued by water shortage, Nora, recovering from cancer, battles fear of loneliness and death. —

John Hopewell, Variety, 14 May 2026 Despite being projected to be the first overall pick, Mendoza skipped the in-person draft in Pittsburgh to stay in Florida with his mother, who battles multiple sclerosis (MS) and is bound to a wheelchair. —

Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles

Noun

The sequence required full-scale versions of Corlys’ (Steve Trussaint) and Lohar’s (Abigail Thorn) ships to be built and usable on both a dry tank and wet tank, thousands of gallons of water and extras and, naturally, numerous CGI dragon fights requiring mechanical bucks.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 22 June 2026
At 31, Moises concludes his UFC tenure with an 8-8 record over 16 fights, having faced recent struggles with three losses in his last four outings, including consecutive defeats.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026