as in fighting
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in competing
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
2
as in facing
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
3
as in combating
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 opposing
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of battling
Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
Authorities were battling a massive blaze at Kuwait International Airport today after a drone attack hit fuel tanks there, the Kuwaiti army said.
—Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
After battling the Raptors, the Magic return home to host the Suns on Tuesday and then the Hawks the following night.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
And their best is Ragans, the opening day ace who was limited to just 13 starts while battling a groin injury and then a rotator cuff ailment in 2025.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
In turn, this means that people outside of Greater Boston can access high quality healthcare without having to drive for hours while battling illness.
—Demetrius Atsalis, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Dry conditions and blustery winds have kept area fire departments busy battling grass and field fires in the region this week.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The founder of the prestigious Jesuit-Sheaner Relays is battling dementia, which has affected his short-term memory.
—Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The sudden reversal of fortunes comes as Jansa has been battling accusations of hiring an Israeli private intelligence company to sway the result following a series of video recordings reporting corruption among the prime minister's allies.
—Jan Bratanic Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
In addition to battling Iran in the airspace in tandem with Operation Epic Fury, Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion has targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon with thousands of airstrikes that have displaced over 1 million Lebanese residents.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
Authorities were battling a massive blaze at Kuwait International Airport today after a drone attack hit fuel tanks there, the Kuwaiti army said.
—Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
After battling the Raptors, the Magic return home to host the Suns on Tuesday and then the Hawks the following night.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
And their best is Ragans, the opening day ace who was limited to just 13 starts while battling a groin injury and then a rotator cuff ailment in 2025.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
In turn, this means that people outside of Greater Boston can access high quality healthcare without having to drive for hours while battling illness.
—Demetrius Atsalis, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Dry conditions and blustery winds have kept area fire departments busy battling grass and field fires in the region this week.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The founder of the prestigious Jesuit-Sheaner Relays is battling dementia, which has affected his short-term memory.
—Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The sudden reversal of fortunes comes as Jansa has been battling accusations of hiring an Israeli private intelligence company to sway the result following a series of video recordings reporting corruption among the prime minister's allies.
—Jan Bratanic Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battling
Adjective
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Speaking ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Johnson told the BBC that the troops should be sent to peaceful regions in non-fighting roles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
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But this story isn’t just for pro-fighting fans.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The legislation, the latest in a long effort by some lawmakers of both parties to rein in the price of insulin, faces many hurdles, including concerns about the cost and other competing congressional priorities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Our guys were locked in and competing.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 2023, one in five births were to a mother who received inadequate prenatal care, according to the report, with Hispanic and Black mothers facing the highest inequities.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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For now, hundreds of families remain in limbo, facing a looming deadline and an uncertain future.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Still, as bad actors get increasingly creative and learn how to evade the roadblocks thrown in their path, Spotify and other major streaming platforms have to continue combating the issue — and get more clever doing so.—
Kyle Eustice,
VIBE.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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One of the strategies for combatting climate change in the Tomorrow Garden is agroforestry, which integrates the cultivation of trees and crops together.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Humans seemingly have opposing desires to fit in and to be unique.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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But Swanson isn’t ready to endorse reverse framing, a conceptual strategy in which catchers could try to make strikes look like balls in an effort to fool opposing hitters into wasting a challenge.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Many of his peers and former rivals have long since retired, burned out by the task of recruiting and coaching while also raising funds from boosters in order to build title-contending rosters.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
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An Ohio congresswoman is asking a judge to issue an order to take Donald Trump‘s name off the Kennedy Center, contending that the board of the arts institution violated the law in that only Congress can make such a change.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Before encountering the issue, NASA officials had appeared optimistic that a successful fueling test had set the stage for a March launch.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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These spike trains often appear when fungi interact with their environment, such as encountering wood or other substrates.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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According to the text messages, Del Valle allegedly instructed Randazzo to message one of the victims about meeting up at the apartment.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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As the family's struggle unfolded, Castillo’s case was closely followed in Spain, which passed legislation in 2021 enshrining the right to euthanasia and medically assisted suicide for patients meeting certain conditions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battling. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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