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
Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 May 2026
In the legal battles that will follow, artificial intelligence may prove to be the sharpest tool in the courtroom.
—Philip Wang, Time, 11 May 2026
The settlements come after years of fierce and expensive court battles, which highlighted the difficulties in interpreting a legal provision that was first enacted several years after it was written into law.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
That’s on puck battles, that’s on wall battles, that’s on you look at net-front battles.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Defense planners increasingly view such systems as critical because modern naval battles may involve large numbers of incoming missiles and unmanned systems launched simultaneously.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 May 2026
Parity is one of your major battles.
—Norine Raja, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
That means the knock-down, drag-out government shutdown battles that have become a Washington ritual are, in effect, a fight over a little more than a quarter of the federal ledger.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
As Halsey battles addiction and Luke confronts his own darkness, their growing feelings force them to question if love is worth the risk.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
The three-match tournament ends with rivalry matchups next Friday in Chicago, when USA faces Canada and Australia battles New Zealand.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2026
Yet, the country battles high levels of poverty and hunger among its citizens.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Barred from his high school basketball team due to his temper, a hot-head, street-baller battles demons from his past and present to earn a spot on a summer league team and his last shot at a college basketball scholarship.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Beth, who is voiced by Sarah Chalke, asks dad Rick (Ian Cardoni) in the footage as the family battles a beast comprised of couch cushions.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Despite its decades-long transformation into a thriving hub for robotics, health care and higher education, Pittsburgh continually battles to shake off its 20th-century Rust Belt reputation in the national consciousness.
—Tim Derdenger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
The series ran from 1993 to 2001 and followed Ranger Cordell Walker, a Texas lawman who battles crime with a black belt and strong personal code.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Alabama case is part of a broader national wave of redistricting battles.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 May 2026
In the legal battles that will follow, artificial intelligence may prove to be the sharpest tool in the courtroom.
—Philip Wang, Time, 11 May 2026
The settlements come after years of fierce and expensive court battles, which highlighted the difficulties in interpreting a legal provision that was first enacted several years after it was written into law.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
That’s on puck battles, that’s on wall battles, that’s on you look at net-front battles.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Defense planners increasingly view such systems as critical because modern naval battles may involve large numbers of incoming missiles and unmanned systems launched simultaneously.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 May 2026
Parity is one of your major battles.
—Norine Raja, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026
That means the knock-down, drag-out government shutdown battles that have become a Washington ritual are, in effect, a fight over a little more than a quarter of the federal ledger.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
As Halsey battles addiction and Luke confronts his own darkness, their growing feelings force them to question if love is worth the risk.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
The three-match tournament ends with rivalry matchups next Friday in Chicago, when USA faces Canada and Australia battles New Zealand.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2026
Yet, the country battles high levels of poverty and hunger among its citizens.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Barred from his high school basketball team due to his temper, a hot-head, street-baller battles demons from his past and present to earn a spot on a summer league team and his last shot at a college basketball scholarship.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Beth, who is voiced by Sarah Chalke, asks dad Rick (Ian Cardoni) in the footage as the family battles a beast comprised of couch cushions.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Despite its decades-long transformation into a thriving hub for robotics, health care and higher education, Pittsburgh continually battles to shake off its 20th-century Rust Belt reputation in the national consciousness.
—Tim Derdenger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
The series ran from 1993 to 2001 and followed Ranger Cordell Walker, a Texas lawman who battles crime with a black belt and strong personal code.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
The ultimate goal, organizers said, is to win more elections, sway policy fights and protect diverse political representation at all levels.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
The biggest issue with these Netflix stunt-fights, aside from the age and condition of the fighters, is that the main event takes forever to start.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The game was delayed with just under six minutes on the clock after several skirmishes broke out, leading to the ejections of Seals captain Wes Berg and Toronto’s Elijah Gash.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At a certain point, fans were so frustrated with Tariq’s actions that Michael was receiving death threats.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
That has created a public debate between Lisa Demuth and her daughter, Shelisa Demuth, who has criticized her mom's actions on social media.—
Reg Chapman,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
One of the fiercest divisional rivalries in the NFL will have a new look to it.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Cherfilus-McCormick referenced a previous interaction with Wasserman Schultz, signaling that political rivalries could intensify if both enter the race for District 20.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The lawyers said that, following the end of her five-year noncompete with Lauder, Malone is allowed to engage in a business that competes with Jo Malone London, and to use her name to identify herself when doing so.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
-
Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old driver for Mercedes-AMG Petronas, competes in Sprint qualifying on Saturday.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Each faces a felony theft charge, four felony counts of breaking or entering, and a misdemeanor charge of fleeing on foot, the post says.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2026
-
One patient retained normal core disgust reactivity but could no longer recognize disgust in others’ faces; another with anterior insula damage showed dysregulation in both producing and experiencing disgust.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Avoiding posts on social media is the way DePaul student Loughman combats her health anxiety.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
-
Regular physical activity helps reduce blood pressure, eases arthritic pain, combats chronic illness and lifts your mood.—
Helen Dennis,
Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hezbollah opposes Lebanon’s direct negotiations with Israel and has not been part of the talks.—
Sheikh Saaliq,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
-
Hezbollah opposes Lebanon's direct negotiations with Israel and has not been part of the talks.—
SHEIKH SAALIQ,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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