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
CBS News, 16 May 2026
The thesis of Brady’s commencement, though, was battling through adversity and never quitting, and the best way for Brady to tell his motivational message was by telling the story of his Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Jack Schlossberg is reflecting on losing his sister, Tatiana Schlossberg, who died in December at age 35 after battling cancer.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Abduction of schoolchildren is common in Nigeria, where the government is battling several armed groups across the country.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
With 18 seconds remaining, there was the immediate question of how Montreal — which was about to be down 1-0 in the finals — could come back to win a Walter Cup with both Poulin and Stacey battling injuries.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Grant and Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells have hit homers at a blistering pace and are battling to close the season with the NCAA home run title.
—Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
The superstar guard has gutted through this postseason, first battling runners knee, then returning to action just nine days after suffering a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
Rojas is battling stage two breast cancer.
—Lauren Pastrana, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
Verb
As Africa's second-largest country by land area, Congo's provinces are far from one another and mostly battling conflict.
—CBS News, 16 May 2026
The thesis of Brady’s commencement, though, was battling through adversity and never quitting, and the best way for Brady to tell his motivational message was by telling the story of his Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Jack Schlossberg is reflecting on losing his sister, Tatiana Schlossberg, who died in December at age 35 after battling cancer.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Abduction of schoolchildren is common in Nigeria, where the government is battling several armed groups across the country.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
With 18 seconds remaining, there was the immediate question of how Montreal — which was about to be down 1-0 in the finals — could come back to win a Walter Cup with both Poulin and Stacey battling injuries.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Grant and Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells have hit homers at a blistering pace and are battling to close the season with the NCAA home run title.
—Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
The superstar guard has gutted through this postseason, first battling runners knee, then returning to action just nine days after suffering a hyperextension and bone bruise in his left knee.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
Rojas is battling stage two breast cancer.
—Lauren Pastrana, Miami Herald, 8 May 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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Teams are at the center of the action when competing against another, complete with the celebrations and disappointments that are the hallmarks of any game show.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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The competing offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo should answer that question.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Brown is still building up his pitch count with his transition from the bullpen to the rotation, requiring high efficiency facing Major League Baseball’s best offense to give them that many outs.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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Kubiak has experience going against the group in practices last season, but facing his former boss in Mike MacDonald will be a tall task.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Booker, who is seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, made an explicit appeal to MAHA during a speech focused on combating the unhealthiness of the American food diet at the Center for American Progress’s Ideas Conference on Tuesday.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2026
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China denies the allegations, describing the facilities as vocational training centers aimed at combating extremism and terrorism.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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As a maker, these opposing qualities are persistent and present throughout every part of the process.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
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The Broncos literally presented the NFL’s toughest assignment for opposing quarterbacks.—
Sam McDowell
Updated May 19,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Verb
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This is where those pieces of history come into play, since jockeys riding notable contending horses are more likely to get TV face time.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
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Meanwhile, the city of San Diego refused to issue permits, contending the project of 139 hotel rooms and 75 apartments above ground-floor shops is not legal as proposed.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2026
Verb
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In the very rare instances of direct danger, like encountering a particularly nasty beast with huge scythe claws, getting hit only leads to the screen fading out and Yoshi reappearing at the start of the stage.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
19 May 2026
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Investigators also believe Brown assaulted a postal worker with a rock on Plasters Avenue before encountering Paige.—
CBS News Atlanta Staff,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Your connections are under a microscope, but clarity arrives around who’s meeting you halfway and who’s just enjoying access to you.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
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The interest rate climate is high and static right now, with another Federal Reserve meeting not even scheduled again until June.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battling. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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