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
Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 9 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
Crews remain at the scene battling remaining flames.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Rojas is battling stage two breast cancer.
—Lauren Pastrana, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
The Thunder earned a bit of a break and awaits two teams battling injuries in the Lakers and Rockets.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Deborah’s relationship — with Frank, with the series, with her own legacy — is a volatile, unsteady thing, where pride and resentment, gratitude and hunger, are always battling it out.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Now, the team is battling through the other end, having lost consecutive games heading into Saturday’s home match against the Utah Royals.
—Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 1 May 2026
Verb
Video from the scene shows firefighters battling large flames and heavy smoke.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 9 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
Crews remain at the scene battling remaining flames.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Rojas is battling stage two breast cancer.
—Lauren Pastrana, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
The Thunder earned a bit of a break and awaits two teams battling injuries in the Lakers and Rockets.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Deborah’s relationship — with Frank, with the series, with her own legacy — is a volatile, unsteady thing, where pride and resentment, gratitude and hunger, are always battling it out.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Now, the team is battling through the other end, having lost consecutive games heading into Saturday’s home match against the Utah Royals.
—Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 1 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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Meanwhile, central banks must find a balance between boosting growth and combating inflation, while uneven monetary policy among countries could trigger greater regional inequality.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
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This activity included combating Falun Gong, a spiritual practice banned in China, and supporters of Taiwanese independence.—
Times staff,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
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When an opposing superstar is cooking, which can happen in the playoffs, their firepower becomes an issue.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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Ashlee Casey with the Sacramento Water Forum said that opposing groups including environmentalists, developers, farmers and cities have all reached an agreement on how to best use water that's released from Folsom Dam and flows down the American River.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The government is citing legal technicalities and contending the law does not define how a commission should be fairly balanced or whose viewpoints should be represented.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
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In addition to contending federal law overrides state statutes like the sanctuary law, the institute is taking a novel legal tack, according to Alex Riggins of the Union-Tribune.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Diaz and her mother were found dead after encountering smoke while trying to escape the blaze through the interior staircase, according to People en Español.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
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Fattkay’s initial plan was to build a team communication alternative after encountering high costs with existing tools.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
12 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 16 May. 2026.
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