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
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
ByteDance’s focus on AI ByteDance also has other battles to fight.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Her legacy lives on through Avery’s Little Army, which is striving to spread awareness about pediatric cancer, fund research, and support local families with their own battles.
—Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Political battles in Washington are now being waged not over millions, but over pocket change.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Elon Musk’s growing involvement in international politics, social media controversies, and ideological battles has begun to bleed into Tesla’s brand perception—particularly outside the United States.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Aries is ruled by Mars, and Neptune here can inspire movements, conflicts, and ideological battles driven by belief as much as reality.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 2026
But no position is secure until the fall, and there’s a good chance there may be position battles in the third – and valuable – phase of the game.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
The investigation is one of several legal battles the DOJ is fighting in Minnesota.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Chris Mara spoke on behalf of Giants ownership Tuesday after John Harbaugh’s introductory press conference, confirming Mara’s rise to a more prominent role and influence in the organization as his brother, co-owner John Mara, battles cancer.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
Ukraine’s air defense systems are stretched thin, with last night’s defense costing $93 million in ammunition, as the country battles relentless Russian aerial attacks.
—Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
That meant that the court battles against these deployments could help define the law.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 15 Jan. 2026
Robinson-Earl adds experience to the Mavericks’ roster as the team battles several injuries.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Chris Mara’s involvement in personnel decisions has been reduced in recent years, but his role as an owner is expected to grow as John Mara battles cancer.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Dallasta, 43, battles anxiety, which has worsened with Vesiolko's detention.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
Gayheart previously opened up about what co-parenting looks like as Dane battles the progressive neurodegenerative disease.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025
Noun
After stepping through a giant wooden door, tall grass teems with wild Pokémon, adorable critters strike charming poses and battles break out between fierce opponents.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
ByteDance’s focus on AI ByteDance also has other battles to fight.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Her legacy lives on through Avery’s Little Army, which is striving to spread awareness about pediatric cancer, fund research, and support local families with their own battles.
—Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
Political battles in Washington are now being waged not over millions, but over pocket change.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Elon Musk’s growing involvement in international politics, social media controversies, and ideological battles has begun to bleed into Tesla’s brand perception—particularly outside the United States.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Aries is ruled by Mars, and Neptune here can inspire movements, conflicts, and ideological battles driven by belief as much as reality.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 25 Jan. 2026
But no position is secure until the fall, and there’s a good chance there may be position battles in the third – and valuable – phase of the game.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
The investigation is one of several legal battles the DOJ is fighting in Minnesota.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
More than four years later, Sanchez still battles the emotional fallout.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Chris Mara spoke on behalf of Giants ownership Tuesday after John Harbaugh’s introductory press conference, confirming Mara’s rise to a more prominent role and influence in the organization as his brother, co-owner John Mara, battles cancer.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
Ukraine’s air defense systems are stretched thin, with last night’s defense costing $93 million in ammunition, as the country battles relentless Russian aerial attacks.
—Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
That meant that the court battles against these deployments could help define the law.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 15 Jan. 2026
Robinson-Earl adds experience to the Mavericks’ roster as the team battles several injuries.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Chris Mara’s involvement in personnel decisions has been reduced in recent years, but his role as an owner is expected to grow as John Mara battles cancer.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Dallasta, 43, battles anxiety, which has worsened with Vesiolko's detention.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
Gayheart previously opened up about what co-parenting looks like as Dane battles the progressive neurodegenerative disease.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
There were still fights to fight and Perfidia’s restlessness and struggles adjusting to motherhood led her to leave.—
Lindsey Underwood,
Vanity Fair,
13 Jan. 2026
-
From high-stakes budget fights to ambitious transit plans and a political cycle already heating up, these are some of the people who will leave their fingerprints on the year ahead.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
These were not skirmishes but full-scale conflicts, usually costing tens—sometimes hundreds—of thousands of lives.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The tactics of federal immigration agents have come under intense scrutiny after the shooting of Good and growing skirmishes between federal officers and protesters.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Though Andrea — initially convicted of capital murder — was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a mental health facility, debate over what drove her actions continues to this day.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Reducing exposure can involve actions such as sealing cracks in basement floors or foundations, and installing ventilation systems designed to lower radon levels.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
So brace yourselves for the regional rivalries.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets will meet again tonight in a matchup that remains one of the NBA's most heated rivalries, even as both franchises enter a rebuilding phase.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Although the three share the track and a competitive spirit, the immediate family plan is focused primarily on Daniel, who already competes in outdoor karting with 100cc gasoline engines and has won races at the national level.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Its seasonal campaign is fronted by none other than the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics’ top stars, from Madison Chock (an Olympic gold medalist in ice dancing who competes with her husband Evan Bates) to bobsled world champ Kaysha Love.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The designation has since been renewed multiple times as the country faces a host of crises, including widespread violence by armed gangs, food insecurity, displacement and a leadership vacuum after the president was assassinated in 2021.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
As is customary when any White House official faces heat, discussion of potential replacements has been rampant.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This combats dynamic pricing based on your search history, which could lead to higher fares.—
Christopher Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The Last Gift Study, launched in 2017, combats that issue by conducting an autopsy immediately after a patient’s death.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Roarke LaCoursiere, with the Indiana Catholic Conference, said the organization opposes the bill because while its members stand with the victims and their families, the death penalty doesn’t bring about justice.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The governor rightly opposes raising nation-leading personal income taxes but may be cracking open the door to raising business or other taxes to respond to federal cuts.—
Andrew Rein,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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