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
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Calvert shares similar views and has survived an ethics complaint and two previous redistricting battles during his 33 years in Congress.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Once back in Eternia the action ramps up big time, and Knight gets to stage several kick-ass battles.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 June 2026
Big cities are sometimes full of controversy, budget battles and politics, but coming up this weekend, organizers say, is an event that spotlights all that is good.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
The real-time battles are widely considered to be the main part of the Total War games.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 June 2026
Within the historical reenactment industry, battles are among the things that can get a little questionable.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
Politicians start nationwide redistricting battles to ensure partisan control, weakening the power of voters.
—Patty Heyda, The Conversation, 1 June 2026
The Oceanside venue is scheduled to host a watch party on the second day of the World Cup when Canada matches up against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the USA battles Paraguay.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
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
The many action sequences in which Mando battles water monsters and takes down land vehicles reminiscent of Imperial walkers give you a jolt.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 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
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
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
Noun
Staal’s still elite at winning defensive zone puck battles, which helps tee up Ehlers to play to his strengths and gives the Canes an all-three-zone impact in their minutes that has added up to a 66 percent xG rate.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Calvert shares similar views and has survived an ethics complaint and two previous redistricting battles during his 33 years in Congress.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Once back in Eternia the action ramps up big time, and Knight gets to stage several kick-ass battles.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 June 2026
Big cities are sometimes full of controversy, budget battles and politics, but coming up this weekend, organizers say, is an event that spotlights all that is good.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
The real-time battles are widely considered to be the main part of the Total War games.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 June 2026
Within the historical reenactment industry, battles are among the things that can get a little questionable.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
Politicians start nationwide redistricting battles to ensure partisan control, weakening the power of voters.
—Patty Heyda, The Conversation, 1 June 2026
The Oceanside venue is scheduled to host a watch party on the second day of the World Cup when Canada matches up against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the USA battles Paraguay.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2026
Verb
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
The many action sequences in which Mando battles water monsters and takes down land vehicles reminiscent of Imperial walkers give you a jolt.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
To those who knew him, Lemieux could be surprisingly vulnerable, Shanahan said, noting the friendship Lemieux forged with Red Wings enforcer Darren McCarty despite multiple fights in their careers.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Those offenses could include public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fights and noise disturbances.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Inconspicuous blows against Denver escalated to skirmishes.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
Thankfully, none of these skirmishes affects the guests’ satisfaction with the trip.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite those actions, the Center for Effective Lawmaking, a joint project from Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia that analyzes items moving through Congress, ranked DeGette as below average in effectiveness in eight of 14 terms analyzed.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
As the video drew more attention, protesters gathered at the Shelby Police Department Friday to denounce the officer’s actions and call on the department to take action before he was fired, CNN affiliate WBTV reported.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The narrative tracks Maurício (Reymond), a retired player striving to establish a new career as an agent in the aggressive football business while managing industry rivalries, family tensions, and the legacy of his past disappointments.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
The diary was still treated primarily as evidence of motive, evidence about the boys, their rivalries, their jealousy, their emotional states.—
Kate Casey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The women’s squad competes in the amateur Women’s Premier Soccer League.—
PJ Green
May 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
-
Rest competes with duties as the moody Moon moves through your 12th House of Solitude, opposite inventive Uranus in your 6th House of Work and Well-being.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Anthony faces five to 99 years or a life sentence if convicted.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
The site is on a low-lying barrier island in a mandatory hurricane evacuation zone and faces ongoing risks from flooding, sea-level rise, king tides and storm surge.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Saturday’s blaze comes as the city combats a massive increase in fatal fires this year.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
-
Avoiding posts on social media is the way DePaul student Loughman combats her health anxiety.—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
But Spielberg also opposes using AI to replace writers, directors, or producers essential to core artistic decision-making.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
-
By midday, the Moon opposes unpredictable Uranus in curious Gemini, so big-picture hopes can contrast with fast facts, shifting plans, or surprise updates.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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