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
Jeff Sentell, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
Race-car drivers compete against opponents while simultaneously battling physics, speed, exhaustion and the possibility of catastrophe.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
The finale's climax unfolds at East Camp, with Kayce and the marshals battling masked shooters who converge on the ranch.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
The Rock Chalk Roundball Classic annually raises money for local individuals battling pediatric cancer.
—Gary Bedore
may 28, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
Creazzo’s last film Dark Reckoning, starring Kristanna Loken as a virologist battling for survival after she is stranded in the mountains following a deadly car accident, releases on VOD on June 7.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 May 2026
With Allen running for state insurance commissioner, 10 candidates are battling it out to replace him — and outside groups are paying attention.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Which states are battling with prediction markets CFTC has yet to sue a state with a Republican Attorney General over prediction markets.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Smith receives limited federal grants, but battling the Education Department requires expending time, attention and money to a lawsuit rather than devoting those resources to student education.
—Marie-Amelie George, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
Verb
The Dawgs are battling Rutgers, Kansas, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest for his commitment at this time.
—Jeff Sentell, AJC.com, 29 May 2026
Race-car drivers compete against opponents while simultaneously battling physics, speed, exhaustion and the possibility of catastrophe.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
The finale's climax unfolds at East Camp, with Kayce and the marshals battling masked shooters who converge on the ranch.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
The Rock Chalk Roundball Classic annually raises money for local individuals battling pediatric cancer.
—Gary Bedore
may 28, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
Creazzo’s last film Dark Reckoning, starring Kristanna Loken as a virologist battling for survival after she is stranded in the mountains following a deadly car accident, releases on VOD on June 7.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 May 2026
With Allen running for state insurance commissioner, 10 candidates are battling it out to replace him — and outside groups are paying attention.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 28 May 2026
Which states are battling with prediction markets CFTC has yet to sue a state with a Republican Attorney General over prediction markets.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Smith receives limited federal grants, but battling the Education Department requires expending time, attention and money to a lawsuit rather than devoting those resources to student education.
—Marie-Amelie George, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battling
Adjective
-
After having two children and settling into post-fighting life on her farm in Riverside, Rousey seriously began to consider an MMA return last year.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
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
Verb
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Now, though, NIL offers teams like Indiana and Texas Tech a quick path to competing at a national level.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
As part of our Language of Soccer World Cup series, The Athletic is speaking to supporters of all 48 nations competing at the 2026 edition to capture their unique football culture, distilled into a single phrase.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Other challenges to the fund The DOJ is facing a plethora of other legal and political challenges to the fund.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
Worse yet, the region is already facing a water crisis, a dire environmental predicament that could be made far worse by the development.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
Verb
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While law enforcement officials said they were unified in their approach to combating crime during the 2026 FIFA World Cup that begins this month in Los Angeles, one topic jumped out as a security concern — drones.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Daily News,
1 June 2026
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Besides combating fungal issues and warding off pests, milk can enhance soil health by introducing calcium, proteins, and natural sugars that feed beneficial microbes.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
31 May 2026
Verb
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If the goal kick is not taken before the end of that countdown, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
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To date, more than 5,500 filmmakers, actors and other Hollywood professionals have signed an open letter opposing the deal.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Verb
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In court, the city had argued for a much smaller damages award, contending some members of the plaintiff class paid their citations so late that proper notification by the city wouldn’t have mattered.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
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However, some scientists, including climate scientist James Hansen, say the heat and the warming ocean temperatures could leave 2026 contending for the new warmest year on record.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Google Pixel 10 Pro owners are encountering a significant hurdle when trying to access Google's advanced AI features.—
Paul Monckton,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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The best safety measure when encountering bees near nests is to leave the area and create distance to avoid being stung by female carpenter bees.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Less than two weeks later, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Baku, meeting with the Azerbaijani president and other top officials.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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The two were meeting as part of a vape pen purchase that later turned into a robbery attempt, according to the report.—
Maveah Griffith,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battling. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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