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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

That means the knock-down, drag-out government shutdown battles that have become a Washington ritual are, in effect, a fight over a little more than a quarter of the federal ledger. —

Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026 Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage. —

Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026 Look no further than the Big Ten to see how those battles are becoming a thing of the past. —

Eric Olson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026 As Maryland’s 2026 legislative session closed last week, much attention was focused on redistricting battles that drew national scrutiny. —

Nicole D. Porter, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026 Given hindsight and an ice pack, a 4-0 series sweep turned into a nice, physical tune-up for the battles to come. —

Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026 All three are relentless in puck battles, and Östlund adds just enough playmaking to complement Benson and Doan, both of whom love getting to the front of the net. —

Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026 The Nuggets can’t grab critical rebounds in battles that are routinely boiling down to Nikola Jokic versus three or four Wolves. —

Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026 Passages range from the creation of the world to bloody battles and apocalyptic destruction, from exhortations to love of God, neighbor and the needy to passages telling of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. —

ABC News, 21 Apr. 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

Four interior cameras focused on student safety, including incidents such as bullying or fights.

— Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Even if there were arguments and fights, there was still love between those arguments and fights.

— Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026