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 Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Launched in 2003, this sci-fi MMORPG has played host to epic spaceship battles and intergalactic heists on a scale that most other multiplayer games can only dream of.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Formula 1 via Getty Images The sport of Formula 1 has seen a few epic championship battles between teammates.
—Rob Reed, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
With few credible projects elsewhere, and with legal and political battles still hampering California, the outlook isn’t good.
—Ben Jones, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Russell knew exactly how to pick his battles his moments.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
The emotional ballast of the film — Davidson’s bond with Dottie Achenbach (a wonderful Maxine Peake), the mother of one his childhood friends, who is also fighting her own health battles — also suffers from moments of incoherence, but the immense power of that bond goes a long way.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Florida’s plan is intensifying political battles over state-level public health approaches.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
His court battles began in March, when he was detained after a traffic stop near his home in Beltsville, Maryland.
—John Bacon, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Matt Gandal, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Venus battles Pluto to decide which version of you wins.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Alexa Ray Joel shared an update on her father Billy Joel's health as the legendary singer battles a brain disorder.
—Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Aided by friends Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Willow (Alyson Hannigan) while under the tutelage of her Watcher, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), Buffy battles all who threaten the world she’s sworn to protect.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
As Erivo’s green-skinned character attempts to save Oz’s animals while evading capture from the Wizard of Oz’s army, Grande’s character battles internal conflict over her role as a spokeswoman for the Wizard’s regime.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
As a smart two-way player who can win board battles and create offense off the rush, Celebrini’s game translated extremely favorably to the pro ranks.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Launched in 2003, this sci-fi MMORPG has played host to epic spaceship battles and intergalactic heists on a scale that most other multiplayer games can only dream of.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Formula 1 via Getty Images The sport of Formula 1 has seen a few epic championship battles between teammates.
—Rob Reed, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
With few credible projects elsewhere, and with legal and political battles still hampering California, the outlook isn’t good.
—Ben Jones, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Russell knew exactly how to pick his battles his moments.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
The emotional ballast of the film — Davidson’s bond with Dottie Achenbach (a wonderful Maxine Peake), the mother of one his childhood friends, who is also fighting her own health battles — also suffers from moments of incoherence, but the immense power of that bond goes a long way.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Florida’s plan is intensifying political battles over state-level public health approaches.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
His court battles began in March, when he was detained after a traffic stop near his home in Beltsville, Maryland.
—John Bacon, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
While career prep still battles outdated perceptions, models like P-TECH programs are proof that pathways deliver rigor and results.
—Matt Gandal, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Venus battles Pluto to decide which version of you wins.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Alexa Ray Joel shared an update on her father Billy Joel's health as the legendary singer battles a brain disorder.
—Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Aided by friends Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Willow (Alyson Hannigan) while under the tutelage of her Watcher, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), Buffy battles all who threaten the world she’s sworn to protect.
—James Mercadante, EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
As Erivo’s green-skinned character attempts to save Oz’s animals while evading capture from the Wizard of Oz’s army, Grande’s character battles internal conflict over her role as a spokeswoman for the Wizard’s regime.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
But Republicans’ long-running internal fights over how to handle health insurance coverage are far from settled, and party leaders are not eager to take a firm stance.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Trump has attended several other high-profile sporting events in 2025, including Super Bowl LIX, the Daytona 500, and multiple UFC fights.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Desmond Castle stands watch beyond the village park—its stone battlements and arrow slits recalling Norman skirmishes and feudal lords.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Of all the conflicts Trump has involved himself in since returning to the White House, the skirmishes over a colonial-era border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia may be the smallest.—
Matthew Tostevin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Across the country, immigration enforcement actions have intensified.—
David Rodriguez Muñoz,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Before receiving his sentence, Johnson asked the judge to view his actions from the perspective of a father.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still one of the NFL’s nastiest division rivalries, the game was full of skirmishes and a near-costly unnecessary roughness penalty late in the third against the Eagles that put the Cowboys in position to take the lead.—
Dan Gelston,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Premiering in 2011, the edgy comedy follows Annie Walker (Kristen Wiig) as her life unravels while serving as maid of honor for her best friend Lillian Donovan (Maya Rudolph), leading to a string of wedding planning mishaps and bridal party rivalries.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Pacific Coast Harmony also competes against other groups in the region and most recently successfully defended its Eastern Division Chorus title in the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Far Western District.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Many of those carriers have big global networks to serve customers, as well as a basic economy, no-frills product that competes with Spirit and other low-cost airlines.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Now, a grown-up Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) faces new and familiar frights after her equally goth daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), opens a portal to the Netherworld and reawakens everyone's favorite pinstriped ghost.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The massive compensation offer comes as Tesla faces one of its worst sales streaks, with its stock falling 16% this year, driven by rising competition, government cuts to EV subsidies, and Musk’s polarizing politics.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lately Rigel has seen big sales increases for a few of its drugs, notably Tavelisse, which combats a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own blood platelets.—
John Dorfman,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Ant International claims the platform combats hallucinations and other data risks by using over 100 recognition models and 600,000 risk lexicons.—
Lionel Lim,
Fortune,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The deal has divided the EU, pitting member states against the European Parliament, and the center-left — which opposes it — against the center-right.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The Chinese Communist Party opposes Tibetans choosing their own Dalai Lama and considers the matter an affront to the sovereignty of Beijing, which has ruled Tibet since 1950.—
Tenzin Dorjee,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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