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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of battles
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Unlike in Jalisco or Michoacán, spectacular gun battles are hardly ever seen in Colima.
—
Daniel Hernandez,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
In one of the closest battles for any position, Arraez trails Bryson Stott of the Philadelphia Phillies, Bryce Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers and Hyeseong Kim of the Dodgers by less than 200,000 votes.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
However, there was a distracting graphical issue where characters and objects would get weird glowy or black artifacts around the edges in close-up shots during battles and cutscenes.
—
Jay Peters,
The Verge,
23 June 2026
As discussions of warfare today emphasize unmanned systems technology, drones are driving battles into a new frontier – or rather, a frontier perceived as new due to its relative obscurity in the public eye.
—
Zita Ballinger Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Flournoy also noted that the defendants are now facing legal battles in two courts over the same underlying conduct while the appeal of the Fulton County case continues.
—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
The position competitions and battles for roster spots will begin in July before intensifying in August.
—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
23 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
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
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
Noun
Informal Beyblade battles are popping up in strangest of places, with players huddling in parks, gyms and shopping malls.
—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Unlike in Jalisco or Michoacán, spectacular gun battles are hardly ever seen in Colima.
—
Daniel Hernandez,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
In one of the closest battles for any position, Arraez trails Bryson Stott of the Philadelphia Phillies, Bryce Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers and Hyeseong Kim of the Dodgers by less than 200,000 votes.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
However, there was a distracting graphical issue where characters and objects would get weird glowy or black artifacts around the edges in close-up shots during battles and cutscenes.
—
Jay Peters,
The Verge,
23 June 2026
As discussions of warfare today emphasize unmanned systems technology, drones are driving battles into a new frontier – or rather, a frontier perceived as new due to its relative obscurity in the public eye.
—
Zita Ballinger Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Flournoy also noted that the defendants are now facing legal battles in two courts over the same underlying conduct while the appeal of the Fulton County case continues.
—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
The position competitions and battles for roster spots will begin in July before intensifying in August.
—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
23 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
Verb
If Wagner misses time again, if Suggs battles injuries again or if the roster isn’t completely healthy in April, expectations aren’t going anywhere.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
According to the warrant affidavit, the couple, who married in 2018, had frequent fights.
-
The game runs smoothly on PC with solid performance even during the busiest fights.
Noun
-
While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
-
Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.
Noun
-
Her death sparked weeks of protests nationwide, calling for an end to an increase in immigration enforcement actions.
-
Knowing Brady and Sullivan have gone after so many years of us trying to get them out is great, but Daniel Kretinsky needs to put actions into words to keep our trust.
Noun
-
First, the worst conference changes hadn’t struck yet, and some of the rivalries torn apart by previous realignments were even getting back together.
-
As Miranda works to protect the magazine's influence, old alliances and rivalries are tested, putting Andy in the middle of another complicated chapter in her career.
Verb
-
As a result, formal career education increasingly competes with a constant stream of online messages about work, success and the future.
-
Abbvie’s top immunology drugs include Skyrizi, which competes against Tremfya from Club name Johnson & Johnson .
Verb
-
Saturday is a Gridlock Alert Day in New York City as Panama faces England in the FIFA Men's World Cup in New Jersey.
-
Ultimately, healthcare faces crucial decisions regarding computing power, which is becoming as vital as electricity for modern medicine.
Verb
-
LilyAna’s version is also packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for deep penetrating hydration that combats any of the infamous drying side effects associated with the ingredient.
-
Saturday’s blaze comes as the city combats a massive increase in fatal fires this year.
Verb
-
The workers' group opposes Ryder's Law, which will sever the main income source for many of the heavily immigrant owners and drivers.
-
Your voice is not wasted, and vote-splitting cannot hand the seat to a candidate the majority opposes.
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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