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
Relevance
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
as in fighting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of battling
Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
For those battling severe disease, foundation staffers can work with you one-on-one to fight a denial.
—Lauren Sausser, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Europe is battling its own demons, including a surge in far-right nationalism and economic pressures.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
As the two were battling for position, Reese appeared to backhand Edwards on the side of the head.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Sumner Redstone, who ran Viacom at the time, was battling Malone and Diller for control of Paramount.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Nah — not very long later, Tony is referencing his Bond obsession, complaining about the generic name of the secret drone-control computer program everyone is battling for here.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
All of them are battling for share in a growing market, with recent McKinsey research, based on a survey of logistics and supply chain leaders suggesting that 70% of these businesses intend to invest more than $100 million each in automation over the next five years.
—David Prosser, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Green once again — and Ross Chastain is battling Chase Briscoe for the lead on the front row.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Newcastle, outside the ‘Big Six’ but battling to get in and mostly clear of PSR troubles, completed each of the four biggest deals by an English club not in that group, signing players from Stuttgart, Forest, Brentford and Villa.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
For those battling severe disease, foundation staffers can work with you one-on-one to fight a denial.
—Lauren Sausser, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, Europe is battling its own demons, including a surge in far-right nationalism and economic pressures.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
As the two were battling for position, Reese appeared to backhand Edwards on the side of the head.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Sumner Redstone, who ran Viacom at the time, was battling Malone and Diller for control of Paramount.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Nah — not very long later, Tony is referencing his Bond obsession, complaining about the generic name of the secret drone-control computer program everyone is battling for here.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
All of them are battling for share in a growing market, with recent McKinsey research, based on a survey of logistics and supply chain leaders suggesting that 70% of these businesses intend to invest more than $100 million each in automation over the next five years.
—David Prosser, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Green once again — and Ross Chastain is battling Chase Briscoe for the lead on the front row.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battling
Verb
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Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz heads to quarterfinals Tuesday as the last American competing in the men’s singles tournament.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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The Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate introduced competing plans to restrict student phone use.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Despite facing challenges to get the march off the ground this year, supporters came bearing flags, signs and spirit on the eve of the Boise Pride Festival, which takes place this weekend.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
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His second came on a 24-yard run with the Trojans facing a fourth-and-1.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The emotional ballast of the film — Davidson’s bond with Dottie Achenbach (a wonderful Maxine Peake), the mother of one his childhood friends, who is also fighting her own health battles — also suffers from moments of incoherence, but the immense power of that bond goes a long way.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
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And while Johnson’s team is still fighting to climb NASCAR’s competitive ladder, results are starting to follow.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Their success was even more impressive considering the lack of a complementary wide receiver to prevent opposing secondaries from doubling Lamb.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Lewis’ legislation also includes several additional changes to the initiative petition process, such as a ban on foreign adversaries from contributing to or opposing ballot measures.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Los Angeles Chargers Now would be a good time for Justin Herbert to take that leap into becoming a Super Bowl-contending quarterback.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Tucker is likely to be the most coveted available player in the sport with any number of contending teams competing to sign him.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Witnesses told investigators that the man had been firing the handgun out of the vehicle’s window before encountering the officers, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Another Buc-ee’s is proposed for DeForest, but that is encountering a different set of issues related to road improvements.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Since then, Pate says the band has written more music, including a song for a potential season two, after meeting one of their musical inspirations Cage the Elephant.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
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After meeting with city officials, the festival added more water stations and shaded areas.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Homeowners have many tools available for combatting weeds, from preventive practices like mulching and proper plant maintenance, to treatments that target established weeds such as hand-removal and flame-weeders.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Aug. 2025
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The Justice Department has also rolled back a program aimed at combatting foreign influence campaigns.—
Doug Bock Clark,
ProPublica,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battling. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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