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
ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Understandably, some gamers may be skeptical or even alarmed, given the ethical issues and legal battles surrounding generative AI.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Yemen was in the middle of a civil war, and gun battles in the city were not unusual.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
In reality however — and sadly — this structure gave way to constant battles and micromanagement, often preventing the mayor from improving the system and enacting any real change.
—Dennis Walcott, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
On top of the aforementioned campaign, solo players can also enjoy customizable AI battles in a traditional Skirmish mode.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
In Texas and across the country, the group has also been swept into heated battles over gender identity in the classroom.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
That message, closely aligned with how Trump has characterized his own legal battles, was also front and center in Paxton’s remarks at the Ronald Reagan dinner Friday night.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
Instead, Donovan goes deep into his battles with depression and his embrace of therapy to manage his mental health, issues that were already well-known and predate the stories of Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Noah Lyles and Kevin Love.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
As fans debate whether to renew now, there is again a question mark hanging over the club, as Pereira battles to lead Forest clear of the threat of relegation.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Armed with beauty, daring, hustle, sheer force of will and unwavering ambition, Undine battles an entrenched elite, fearlessly courting controversy, until love and fortune align.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Steve Kerr has repeatedly emphasized that the team needs to be creative to find spacing around Green while Curry battles runner’s knee, and the new starting lineup brought four capable 3-point shooters onto the floor.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Sarah Nurse of Canada battles members of Team USA during the women's gold medal match.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026
Extras sporting afros and ’70s garb walk past Potente, while the crew battles noisy busses to grab a few seconds of footage.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Your self-confidence may take a hit when the Gemini moon battles Saturn.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
More than four years later, Sanchez still battles the emotional fallout.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
At the same time, groups like the nonpartisan Latino Victory Project, which focuses on developing Hispanic political leadership, said this current moment should not distract from the still-ongoing civil rights battles.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Understandably, some gamers may be skeptical or even alarmed, given the ethical issues and legal battles surrounding generative AI.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026
Yemen was in the middle of a civil war, and gun battles in the city were not unusual.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
In reality however — and sadly — this structure gave way to constant battles and micromanagement, often preventing the mayor from improving the system and enacting any real change.
—Dennis Walcott, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
On top of the aforementioned campaign, solo players can also enjoy customizable AI battles in a traditional Skirmish mode.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026
In Texas and across the country, the group has also been swept into heated battles over gender identity in the classroom.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
That message, closely aligned with how Trump has characterized his own legal battles, was also front and center in Paxton’s remarks at the Ronald Reagan dinner Friday night.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
Instead, Donovan goes deep into his battles with depression and his embrace of therapy to manage his mental health, issues that were already well-known and predate the stories of Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, Noah Lyles and Kevin Love.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
As fans debate whether to renew now, there is again a question mark hanging over the club, as Pereira battles to lead Forest clear of the threat of relegation.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Armed with beauty, daring, hustle, sheer force of will and unwavering ambition, Undine battles an entrenched elite, fearlessly courting controversy, until love and fortune align.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Steve Kerr has repeatedly emphasized that the team needs to be creative to find spacing around Green while Curry battles runner’s knee, and the new starting lineup brought four capable 3-point shooters onto the floor.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Sarah Nurse of Canada battles members of Team USA during the women's gold medal match.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026
Extras sporting afros and ’70s garb walk past Potente, while the crew battles noisy busses to grab a few seconds of footage.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Your self-confidence may take a hit when the Gemini moon battles Saturn.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
More than four years later, Sanchez still battles the emotional fallout.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
Others dropped re-election bids following redistricting fights that scrambled political maps and would have forced them to campaign in new districts.—
Benjamin Siegel,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
While still being finalized, the card features two championship fights.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With billions of dollars at stake, the conflicts manifest in sharp skirmishes in the Legislature, in courts and in the ballot measure arena.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
In a dangerous escalation from cross-border skirmishes, Pakistan launched air strikes at the end of February, targeting major cities including Kabul.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the reigning champs frequently put Towns in defensive actions, often creating wide-open driving lanes to the rim, much to the ire of head coach Mike Brown.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
On the other side were Jews who tended to be far more concerned about the resurgence of antisemitism on the right, from the likes of Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, and believed that Israel’s aggressive actions were partially responsible for making Jews unsafe.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While community surveys showed support for the merger, some students expressed concern over losing traditions and rivalries.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The island’s legislature is considering a record defense outlay, but domestic political rivalries threaten to derail that effort.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The South Korean startup competes not only with Nvidia but also with a growing list of other startups from Cerebras to Groq — a company that Nvidia licenses technology from.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The top finisher from Massachusetts was Haverhill native Shea Morris, who competes for the New York Military Academy during the high school season.—
Barry Scanlon,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Social Security faces a shortfall as soon as 2032.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
For the second time in less than a week, Luka Doncic faces a one-game suspension because of technical foul accumulation.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mix cinnamon with warm water to create a spray that combats fungal issues and discourages pests from returning.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream The Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream is a fragrance-free, multitasking formula that combats wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But a local group, Middlebury Small Town Alliance that opposes warehouse construction particularly at the Timex property, filed a legal challenge in Waterbury Superior Court.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
-
McMorrow opposes Schumer; el Sayed did not respond.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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