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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of battling
Matt Zahn, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Carter's final film role came in 2020's The Way Back, which starred Ben Affleck as a high school basketball coach battling with alcoholism.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026
Invest in a Steam Cleaner Turley says a portable upholstery steam cleaner can be a fantastic investment for pet owners battling unwanted pet odors.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Farley helped raise funds for the center and dedicated a room to his late cousin, comedian Chris Farley, to inspire residents battling addiction.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Last season, fans watched in awe as Cal Raleigh chased a 60-home run season, battling Aaron Judge in a tit-for-tat MVP race.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Many are battling cancer and heart disease.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the early polling front-runner, cited her history of battling the president in her first term, including a 2018 order prohibiting the city’s jail from accepting new detainees from federal immigration agents.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Summit kept battling behind Gebhardt, the running back turned quarterback.
—Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Chicago Bulls legend and Simeon High School graduate Derrick Rose was back at the Advocate Center on Friday to surprise a young Bulls fan who's battling cancer.
—Matt Zahn, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Carter's final film role came in 2020's The Way Back, which starred Ben Affleck as a high school basketball coach battling with alcoholism.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026
Invest in a Steam Cleaner Turley says a portable upholstery steam cleaner can be a fantastic investment for pet owners battling unwanted pet odors.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Farley helped raise funds for the center and dedicated a room to his late cousin, comedian Chris Farley, to inspire residents battling addiction.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
Last season, fans watched in awe as Cal Raleigh chased a 60-home run season, battling Aaron Judge in a tit-for-tat MVP race.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
Many are battling cancer and heart disease.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the early polling front-runner, cited her history of battling the president in her first term, including a 2018 order prohibiting the city’s jail from accepting new detainees from federal immigration agents.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Summit kept battling behind Gebhardt, the running back turned quarterback.
—Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battling
Adjective
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But this story isn’t just for pro-fighting fans.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Oct. 2025
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Some had joined Ukrainian combat units as volunteers, while others have sought to assist the Ukrainian people in non-fighting capacities.—
Dan Lamothe,
Washington Post,
4 Feb. 2023
Verb
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Students from various school programs like 4-H and Future Farmers of America will flood the Stock Show competing in meat and dairy cattle judging, among other events.—
Brayden Garcia
January 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
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All the teams in that tournament were guaranteed $1 million just for competing.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even after clawing back, the Bears were facing a 27-16 deficit with less than seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
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Dark paint colors can feel surprisingly cozy and create a cocoon-like atmosphere in north-facing rooms.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Since the shooting, Kelly and Giffords have dedicated themselves to combating gun violence in America.—
Ilana Frost,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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But the company is also combatting fears of an AI bubble amid growing competition and a push by tech companies to make their own AI chips to decrease reliance on Nvidia.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The New York City Police Department maintained a safety perimeter around the protest to ensure no chaos sparked between the opposing protesters.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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The footage released by CCTV depicted two opposing forces in the exercise.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Blackhawks didn’t retain any salary in the deal but the playoff-contending Sharks still cleared up close to $3 million in cap space to help accommodate any possible additions via trade later this season.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Wearing a sleek black turtleneck, the actress is on a break between industry Q&A panels for her Oscar-contending film, Song Sung Blue, running on what seems to be a campaign adrenaline rush.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The shocking clip shows 27-year-old Emily Marzilli and friends encountering a hungry Bryde's whale while swimming near a school of sardines.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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Each episode finds Xena (Lawless) and her companion Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) encountering characters from both history and mythology.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After meeting while training as actors, Graham and his wife, English actress Hannah Walters, married in 2008.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Byrne and Cannavale began dating in 2012 after meeting through mutual friends.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battling. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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