BATTLES Synonyms: 218 Similar and Opposite Words

battles 1 of 2

noun

plural of battle

as in fights

a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded

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Relevance

as in skirmishes

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street

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truces

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

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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

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battles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of battle

as in competes

to engage in a contest the two teams, which have long been archrivals, will battle on the court for the state championship

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as in faces

to enter into contest or conflict with the two top-seeded tennis players battled each other for almost three hours

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as in combats

to oppose (someone) in physical conflict the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge

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as in opposes

to strive to reduce or eliminate we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of battles

Noun

But if both of those battles end up as washes, the Knicks could pull away in this series because their work on the glass earns them extra shots. —

Tony Jones, New York Times, 18 May 2026 Trustees increasingly want leaders capable of navigating not only fundraising and research growth, but also the political battles reshaping higher education. —

Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026 Redistricting battles and big campaign spending shows how high the stakes are on May 19, according to John McGlennon, professor of government at the College of William & Mary. —

Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 18 May 2026 Their role in critical battles in the country's nearly 14-year-long civil war helped Sharaa, Syria's current leader, cement enough power to eventually push out the Assad regime. —

Emily Feng, NPR, 17 May 2026 At the same time, many Americans report feeling trapped inside an increasingly exhausting healthcare landscape marked by insurance battles, physician shortages, long wait times and growing uncertainty around affordability. —

Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026 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

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