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
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
The championship brought together teams from across Europe to showcase their small but agile robots in a series of head-to-head battles.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
The Chiefs won all the major statistical battles on Sunday, leading the Raiders in first downs (30-3), total yards (434-95) and rushing yards (152-25).
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
The ability to win puck battles in dirty areas and make skillful plays in tight spaces is still there.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
But should the Wolves also put more of an emphasis on developing the non-Gobert lineups so those can be better prepared when they’re thrust into high-leverage playoff battles?
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
Local and state leaders have pushed back against the National Guard deployments, and legal battles are still playing out in court.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
What Happens Next Both cases are now poised for further legal and political battles.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Regardless of where the legal battles are resolved, John Shu, a constitutional law expert who served in both Bush administrations, believes the president’s current use of the troops is within his authority.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025
Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 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
The film follows Mark and Dawn through horrifically fraught times, as Mark battles an opioid addiction and Dawn struggles to support her mercurial man through personal and professional upheavals.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
As Mita's mother battles an illness, she's been the primary caretaker for her, leaving her little time for self care and relaxation.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
As Soledad battles a legal system riddled with corruption, inequality and skewed patriarchal values, Julieta’s case ignites a wave of outrage and solidarity, giving rise to a powerful movement demanding justice.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Ricky Morton of the legendary Rock-n-Roll Express battles his son Kerry, who turned on him, allowing TNA Wrestling International Champ Steve Maclin to become the new BRCW champion.
—James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
The West may think of his nation in terms of space-age technology and zeitgeist-defining cultural phenomena like KPop Demon Hunters, though in truth South Korea battles the lowest birth rate, top suicide rate, and highest youth unemployment of any developed nation.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
But Costco also demonstrates the limitations of fighting political battles through a store.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
The championship brought together teams from across Europe to showcase their small but agile robots in a series of head-to-head battles.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025
The Chiefs won all the major statistical battles on Sunday, leading the Raiders in first downs (30-3), total yards (434-95) and rushing yards (152-25).
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
The ability to win puck battles in dirty areas and make skillful plays in tight spaces is still there.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
But should the Wolves also put more of an emphasis on developing the non-Gobert lineups so those can be better prepared when they’re thrust into high-leverage playoff battles?
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
Local and state leaders have pushed back against the National Guard deployments, and legal battles are still playing out in court.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
What Happens Next Both cases are now poised for further legal and political battles.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Regardless of where the legal battles are resolved, John Shu, a constitutional law expert who served in both Bush administrations, believes the president’s current use of the troops is within his authority.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Per Pete Thamel of ESPN, the Red Raiders will ask redshirt freshman Will Hammond to make his first career start on Saturday as senior quarterback Behren Morton battles a leg injury.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 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
The film follows Mark and Dawn through horrifically fraught times, as Mark battles an opioid addiction and Dawn struggles to support her mercurial man through personal and professional upheavals.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
As Mita's mother battles an illness, she's been the primary caretaker for her, leaving her little time for self care and relaxation.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
As Soledad battles a legal system riddled with corruption, inequality and skewed patriarchal values, Julieta’s case ignites a wave of outrage and solidarity, giving rise to a powerful movement demanding justice.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Ricky Morton of the legendary Rock-n-Roll Express battles his son Kerry, who turned on him, allowing TNA Wrestling International Champ Steve Maclin to become the new BRCW champion.
—James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
The West may think of his nation in terms of space-age technology and zeitgeist-defining cultural phenomena like KPop Demon Hunters, though in truth South Korea battles the lowest birth rate, top suicide rate, and highest youth unemployment of any developed nation.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
The wins, almost as much as the losses, have always come in fights.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
In the article, Roufus criticized promoters who were focused on profits and lacked the experience to safely sponsor fights.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Activists literally or figuratively flying the antifa flag have long been among the subset of people who go to protests to destroy property and get into violent skirmishes with far-right protestors (like the Proud Boys).—
Sal Rodriguez,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Law enforcement officers have deployed tear gas and pepper balls in skirmishes with protesters.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
However, there were offices within DHS created to hold agents and their supervisors accountable for their actions on the job.—
J. David McSwane,
ProPublica,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Murray addressed the incident earlier this year, stating that his actions were done in jest.—
Jessica Wang,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The impact of geopolitics has surged, with national interests and strategic rivalries once again shaping global affairs and impacting business strategies.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium hedges are more than just shrubbery around a field—they're witnesses to nearly a century of rivalries, victories, and legends that have graced Dooley Field.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The tech giant competes heavily on AI services with Apple, Google and startups like Anthropic and OpenAI.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In recent years, Oracle has expanded its cloud infrastructure division that competes with the likes of Amazon and Google.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Economists warn the incoming administration faces immediate challenges, including securing fuel supplies and building coalitions in a fragmented legislature.—
Reuters 3 min ago,
CNN Money,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The district also faces financial challenges, with expenses exceeding general fund revenue starting in the 2024-25 school year.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Joint Terrorism Task Force is a federal law enforcement organization that combats both domestic and international terrorism.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Becca Israel, director of the Nexus Project, a nonprofit that combats antisemitism and promotes democracy, said the administration's actions send conflicting messages.—
Jason DeRose,
NPR,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Councilor Jesse Brown, who opposes the deal, said on social media Friday that the councilors sent a similar opposition letter to Gray's office for her consideration.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Mainstream Jewish groups maintain that anti-Zionism, a broad term that generally opposes the idea of a standalone state with a Jewish-majority population, is antisemitic.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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