1
as in fights
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in skirmishes
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in combats
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 opposes
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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of battles
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The court battles that followed won the tribe a crucial gaming compact, and the ability to buy the land that would become home to Sky River Casino.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Gun battles erupted as part of the operation — ordered by the state’s tough-on-crime governor — which targeted one of the country’s biggest drug trafficking organizations, though bystanders are feared to have been caught in the crossfire.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Sports franchises usually go out of their way to avoid court battles, which are played out in public before fans and media and can lead to the release of testimony, videos, emails, texts and other disclosures that might spur controversy.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Given its growing scale, the operator has had a string of high-profile carriage battles with major programmers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Season 28 has delivered a fresh lineup of coaches, resulting in more thrilling chair turns, buzzer battles, and some powerhouse performances along the way, according to NBC Insider.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Lee advocates for worldwide standards on user verification and mediation systems where victims could identify attackers without expensive legal battles.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025
The battles between the Chiefs and Bills are usually classics.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Per Pete Thamel of ESPN, the Red Raiders will ask redshirt freshman Will Hammond to make his first career start on Saturday as senior quarterback Behren Morton battles a leg injury.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Brian Schottenheimer battles through injuries Heading into the game against the Jets, Schottenheimer’s offensive line was wrecked by injury.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
Disagreements among Democrats have emerged over how to conduct political messaging on the government shutdown as the party battles with the GOP over whom the public should blame for the impasse.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 5 Oct. 2025
The film follows Mark and Dawn through horrifically fraught times, as Mark battles an opioid addiction and Dawn struggles to support her mercurial man through personal and professional upheavals.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
As Mita's mother battles an illness, she's been the primary caretaker for her, leaving her little time for self care and relaxation.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
As Soledad battles a legal system riddled with corruption, inequality and skewed patriarchal values, Julieta’s case ignites a wave of outrage and solidarity, giving rise to a powerful movement demanding justice.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Ricky Morton of the legendary Rock-n-Roll Express battles his son Kerry, who turned on him, allowing TNA Wrestling International Champ Steve Maclin to become the new BRCW champion.
—James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
Nor are the ongoing battles to comply with rules both at home and abroad.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The court battles that followed won the tribe a crucial gaming compact, and the ability to buy the land that would become home to Sky River Casino.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Gun battles erupted as part of the operation — ordered by the state’s tough-on-crime governor — which targeted one of the country’s biggest drug trafficking organizations, though bystanders are feared to have been caught in the crossfire.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Sports franchises usually go out of their way to avoid court battles, which are played out in public before fans and media and can lead to the release of testimony, videos, emails, texts and other disclosures that might spur controversy.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Given its growing scale, the operator has had a string of high-profile carriage battles with major programmers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025
Season 28 has delivered a fresh lineup of coaches, resulting in more thrilling chair turns, buzzer battles, and some powerhouse performances along the way, according to NBC Insider.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Lee advocates for worldwide standards on user verification and mediation systems where victims could identify attackers without expensive legal battles.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025
The battles between the Chiefs and Bills are usually classics.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
But soon, an intruder introduces both suspicion and hope for connection, as loneliness battles with the fear that something considerably larger than a virus is hiding in the dark.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Per Pete Thamel of ESPN, the Red Raiders will ask redshirt freshman Will Hammond to make his first career start on Saturday as senior quarterback Behren Morton battles a leg injury.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Brian Schottenheimer battles through injuries Heading into the game against the Jets, Schottenheimer’s offensive line was wrecked by injury.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
Disagreements among Democrats have emerged over how to conduct political messaging on the government shutdown as the party battles with the GOP over whom the public should blame for the impasse.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 5 Oct. 2025
The film follows Mark and Dawn through horrifically fraught times, as Mark battles an opioid addiction and Dawn struggles to support her mercurial man through personal and professional upheavals.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
As Mita's mother battles an illness, she's been the primary caretaker for her, leaving her little time for self care and relaxation.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
As Soledad battles a legal system riddled with corruption, inequality and skewed patriarchal values, Julieta’s case ignites a wave of outrage and solidarity, giving rise to a powerful movement demanding justice.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Ricky Morton of the legendary Rock-n-Roll Express battles his son Kerry, who turned on him, allowing TNA Wrestling International Champ Steve Maclin to become the new BRCW champion.
—James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
Historical police data shows arguments or fights escalating was a factor in about 29% of all homicides in the city since 2020.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
However, leaking information about fights, movements, and filming activity happens all the time.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
David Wolf, the executive director of the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Scottsbluff, said experts estimate that as many 10 people died for every mile of the trail ‒ perhaps as many as 20,000 travelers, plus an unknown number of Native Americans killed during skirmishes.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Amid the skirmishes that ensued, federal agents fired a chemical agent toward a protester at near-point-blank range, and security personnel later opened fire on a U-Haul truck that had backed up toward a barrier on the island’s bridge, injuring the driver and an apparent bystander.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Anything can impact a president's rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Cargill explained her actions following a commercial break.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Beijing’s talent-friendly move could also give it a boost amid continuing trade tensions and tech rivalries with Washington, which has imposed export controls on chips and other advanced technology that are spurring China to develop its own.—
Peter Guo,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Lewis, a tight end at Wisconsin from 2004-07, traces his appreciation for rivalries to his Big Ten roots.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Greenblatt competes against companies that get their steel from China, which subsidizes its steel industry.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Tveit stars as American Freddie Trumper, a star in the chess world, who competes in a tournament with a Russian grandmaster, Anatoly Sergievsky, played by Nicholas Christopher.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the program faces uncertainty if the shutdown persists.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Nov. 2025
-
In the Charlotte City Council’s District 6, Republican Krista Bokhari faces Democrat Kimberly Owens.—
Josh Bergeron,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Jasmine Crowe-Houston is the founder of Goodr, an organization that regularly combats food waste by collaborating with businesses, foundations, governments, and sports teams to provide high-quality food to local communities.—
Ronny Maye,
Essence,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Nourish Up, an organization that combats hunger in Mecklenburg County through food banks, grocery delivery and the meals on wheels program, served 164,000 people in 2024 alone.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even a relative newcomer, Curtis, opposes eliminating the filibuster.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Chiwenga also opposes corruption by government and Zanu PF officials but was overruled at the party’s October conference.—
Tawanda Karombo,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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