Synonyms of battles

battles 1 of 2

noun

plural of battle

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

• fights
• struggles
• efforts
• frays
• throes
• works
• attempts
• pains
• scrabbles
• exertions
• wars
• endeavors
• tries
• toils
• troubles
• grinds
• tussles
• contests
• conflicts
• combats
• travails
• labors
• sweats
• warfares
• drudgeries
• strifes
• essays

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

• skirmishes
• fights
• clashes
• struggles
• tussles
• brawls
• scuffles
• contests
• conflicts
• dustups
• confrontations
• duels
• combats
• scrimmages
• frays
• altercations
• fracases
• scraps
• quarrels
• scrums
• disputes
• blows
• pitched battles
• hassles
• melees
• fistfights
• slugfests
• fisticuffs
• broils
• jousts
• squabbles
• affrays
• battles royal
• tangles
• controversies
• mix-ups
• donnybrooks
• spats
• rows
• disagreements
• wrangles
• punch-ups
• ruckuses
• punch-outs
• rough-and-tumbles
• tiffs
• ructions
• contretemps
• catfights
• arguments
• grapples
• fallings-out
• misunderstandings
• face-offs
• free-for-alls
• cross fires
• handgrips
• kickups
• argle-bargles
• argy-bargies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truces

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

• actions
• fields
• combats
• fires
• attacks
• hostilities
• firefights
• warfares
• operations
• services
• pitched battles
• duties

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

• rivalries
• struggles
• duels
• confrontations
• conflicts
• wars
• competitions
• contentions
• contests
• matches
• warfares
• clashes
• dogfights
• combats
• strifes
• ball games
• sweepstakes
• showdowns
• tugs-of-war
• face-offs
• grapples
• debates
• disputes
• quarrels
• disputations
• collisions
• horse races
• arguments
• controversies
• frictions
• disagreements
• nail-biters
• discords
• wrangles
• rows
• dissensions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• harmonies
• concords
• peaces

battles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of battle

1

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• competes
• fights
• races
• contends
• rivals
• vies
• faces off
• challenges
• plays
• maneuvers
• engages
• goes out
• jostles
• works
• jockeys
• tries out
• trains

2

as in faces

to enter into contest or conflict with

the two top-seeded tennis players battled each other for almost three hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

• faces
• encounters
• meets
• fights
• engages
• takes on
• rivals
• contends
• opposes
• emulates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• escapes
• eludes
• retreats
• evades

3

as in combats

to oppose (someone) in physical conflict

the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fights
• combats
• wars (against)
• duels
• clashes (with)
• beats
• wrestles
• hits
• skirmishes (with)
• punches
• scrimmages (with)
• strikes
• boxes
• knocks
• pounds
• socks
• slaps
• belts
• jousts
• smacks
• spars
• swipes
• slams
• slugs
• buffets
• hammers
• smites
• bangs
• whales
• swats
• whacks
• thumps
• brawls
• batters
• bashes
• pastes
• bats
• slogs
• tussles
• bumps
• wallops
• grapples
• thwacks
• bops
• bludgeons
• scuffles
• clobbers
• collides

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submits
• gives up
• surrenders

4

as in opposes

to strive to reduce or eliminate

we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fights
• opposes
• combats
• counters
• contends (with)
• resists
• confronts
• oppugns
• withstands
• thwarts
• foils
• frustrates
• faces
• baffles
• checkmates
• meets
• defies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advances
• encourages
• promotes
• suffers
• fosters
• cultivates
• bears
• furthers
• nourishes
• endures
• advocates
• supports
• forwards
• nurtures
• backs
• abides
• endorses
• upholds
• champions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of battles

Noun

By the time Apple wins its lawsuit against OpenAI, the decisive battles in the war might already be over. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 11 July 2026

Against Brazil, Solbakken’s side worked hard to leave their physically intimidating centre-forwards in one-on-one battles for long passes in behind. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026

On the other hand, biodiversity is far too important an issue to be steered at once by the chaotic whims of Silicon Valley, the legal battles waged by environmental nonprofits, and the old, sclerotic levers of government bureaucracy. — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026

The other teen quit her high school soccer team amid mounting protests, police presence and online agitation, highlighting how political battles over trans athletes reshape everyday school life. — Kathy McCormack, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

However, in a summer transfer window when United is under pressure to rebuild its midfield when so many other rivals are also searching the market for elite-level operators in the centre of the pitch, the club might have to pick its battles wisely. — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Miami city commissioners on Thursday unanimously gave what could be the final green light to a $40 million plan to rebuild and reopen the historic, long-shuttered Coconut Grove Playhouse after 13 years of legal and political battles. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

After so many legendary battles – and a thrilling stretch as teammates at the 2024 Paris Olympics – Curry saw the appeal in ending their careers on the same team. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

On Friday, Putin visited the Russian military headquarters directing the action in Ukraine to receive a report on the capture of the city of Kostyantynivka after weeks of intense street battles. — ABC News, 3 July 2026

Verb

If Wagner misses time again, if Suggs battles injuries again or if the roster isn’t completely healthy in April, expectations aren’t going anywhere. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026

Around 15 years later, Flay came to Nurdjaja and asked her to join Bobby's Triple Threat, in which a competitor battles three titans, including Flay's girlfriend Brooke Williamson and Michael Voltaggio, for a $25,000 prize. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026

Starter Eric Lauer battles erratic fastball command and early damage yet completes six innings, while the Rays’ Nick Martinez matches him before a bullpen misstep to Rojas decides a tight opener. — Liana Handler follow, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026

Right Now As the country battles a deadly second wave, international donations are helping local communities access essential items. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026

Both wholesome kids get caught in the crossfire when He-Man battles Skeletor’s army of Darth Vader lookalikes in — where else? — Jeffrey Ressner, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026

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

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