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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Recent Examples of battles
CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Soon the scene devolved into individual battles between officers and rioters.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Great game from veteran right guard Mike Onwenu, who allowed one pressure but otherwise won most of his run-blocking battles and helped create a few wide rushing lanes inside.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Final roster battles could be won Marsch likely wants his World Cup squad set for the March international window.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal face off in a story that mirrors political divides familiar to Texans, from conspiracy culture to battles over development and power.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
And after recent battles with hurricanes, the city has made a strong comeback, celebrating several historic milestones in 2026.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
The facility, which is surrounded by the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve, also has led to separate legal battles in federal court.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
The deal was completed as the Bay Area hotel market battles against a wave of loan defaults, plunging prices and property foreclosures that have stifled purchasing activity and new development.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026
Dan Duggan, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Dallasta, 43, battles anxiety, which has worsened with Vesiolko's detention.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
Gayheart previously opened up about what co-parenting looks like as Dane battles the progressive neurodegenerative disease.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025
That's because the miniature SKL shelter doesn't have a shred of tent canvas, relying instead on aircraft-grade aluminum to create a fast-pitching cabin that battles winter with an uprated insulation package.
—New Atlas, 24 Nov. 2025
On the upcoming episode of Raw, NXT star Je'Von Evans faces Gunther, and Solo Sikoa battles a mystery opponent.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
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
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
Noun
The facility, which is surrounded by the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve, also has led to separate legal battles in federal court.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Soon the scene devolved into individual battles between officers and rioters.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Great game from veteran right guard Mike Onwenu, who allowed one pressure but otherwise won most of his run-blocking battles and helped create a few wide rushing lanes inside.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Final roster battles could be won Marsch likely wants his World Cup squad set for the March international window.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal face off in a story that mirrors political divides familiar to Texans, from conspiracy culture to battles over development and power.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
And after recent battles with hurricanes, the city has made a strong comeback, celebrating several historic milestones in 2026.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
The facility, which is surrounded by the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve, also has led to separate legal battles in federal court.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
The deal was completed as the Bay Area hotel market battles against a wave of loan defaults, plunging prices and property foreclosures that have stifled purchasing activity and new development.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
Chris Mara’s involvement in personnel decisions has been reduced in recent years, but his role as an owner is expected to grow as John Mara battles cancer.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Dallasta, 43, battles anxiety, which has worsened with Vesiolko's detention.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
Gayheart previously opened up about what co-parenting looks like as Dane battles the progressive neurodegenerative disease.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025
That's because the miniature SKL shelter doesn't have a shred of tent canvas, relying instead on aircraft-grade aluminum to create a fast-pitching cabin that battles winter with an uprated insulation package.
—New Atlas, 24 Nov. 2025
On the upcoming episode of Raw, NXT star Je'Von Evans faces Gunther, and Solo Sikoa battles a mystery opponent.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
According to reports, there were fights in the snake-like queue that formed.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Town budgets, school boards, zoning fights, shoreline resilience — these are problems that punish purity.—
Robert T.F. Downes,
Hartford Courant,
6 Jan. 2026
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
-
In some cases, actions of the British armed forces have been described as unjustified.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Majumdar lavishes her characters with careful attention, and so the reader comes to regard their most troubling actions as justified, if not inevitable.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Few crosstown rivalries can compare to the one Hingham and Notre Dame Academy have developed the past few decades.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The history of contemporary music is littered with hundreds of rivalries both amicable and otherwise.—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Cherry’s older brother, Taeshon, played collegiately and competes professionally overseas.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Sook also argued broadcast stations will continue to dominate political advertising sales, but faces stepped up competition from streaming services, where Nexstar competes with its NewsNation live TV streamer.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Still, the company faces the same existential headwinds that have scared other would-be moguls away from the news business.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
At Barton Creek Technologies, Anna Chen, the chief human resources officer, faces a dilemma over the company’s performance improvement plan (PIP).—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
8 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
-
Roarke LaCoursiere, with the Indiana Catholic Conference, said the organization opposes the bill because while its members stand with the victims and their families, the death penalty doesn’t bring about justice.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The governor rightly opposes raising nation-leading personal income taxes but may be cracking open the door to raising business or other taxes to respond to federal cuts.—
Andrew Rein,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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