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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of battling
Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Three Colleyville firefighters are recovering from injuries sustained while battling a blaze late Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025
The Danish company has been battling it out with US rival Eli Lilly, with each developing newer medicines to turbocharge weight loss and diabetes results since the approval of Nordisk’s Ozempic in 2017.
—Ana Nicolaci Da Costa, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
With the Nanny actress opting not to run this year, another celebrity, Lord of the Rings and Rudy star Sean Astin, and a rank-and-file performer, New England Local board member Chuck Slavin, are battling it out for the president job.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
For years, Joby has been battling it out with competitors to bring air taxi solutions to market.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
While Fleetwood was battling for the FedEx Cup title, his family was navigating a medical crisis.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The event highlights his support for children battling long-term health challenges and the families who care for them.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
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
Adjective
News publishers are battling some AI firms in court, with The New York Times engaged in litigation against OpenAI over claims that its articles were used without permission.
—Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Three Colleyville firefighters are recovering from injuries sustained while battling a blaze late Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025
The Danish company has been battling it out with US rival Eli Lilly, with each developing newer medicines to turbocharge weight loss and diabetes results since the approval of Nordisk’s Ozempic in 2017.
—Ana Nicolaci Da Costa, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
With the Nanny actress opting not to run this year, another celebrity, Lord of the Rings and Rudy star Sean Astin, and a rank-and-file performer, New England Local board member Chuck Slavin, are battling it out for the president job.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
For years, Joby has been battling it out with competitors to bring air taxi solutions to market.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
While Fleetwood was battling for the FedEx Cup title, his family was navigating a medical crisis.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
The event highlights his support for children battling long-term health challenges and the families who care for them.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battling
Verb
-
High-skilled workers will see income growth, while low-skill workers will be competing for a decreasing number of job openings.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The show gives Islanders from previous seasons of the dating show a second shot at love while competing in challenges for a chance at winning $100,000.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
So, Hilleary will be in the odd position of facing a significant pay cut for getting a big promotion on Capitol Hill.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
An office that helps members of Congress serve Social Security recipients is facing cuts by up to 94 percent.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The approximate number of Americans who died fighting the Nazis in World War II.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Proctor also investigated the Walshe case and other criminal cases in Norfolk County and those defense attorneys are fighting to get information from Proctor’s phone backup archives that could exonerate their clients.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Wednesday nights are for watching tape on third downs at a variety of distances and taking more notes about pressure packages and the front structures opposing defenses prefer.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This season, opposing defenses have blitzed the Hawks nearly 50% of the time, resulting in four of Robertson’s five interceptions.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Tonight's game is one of the biggest in the early going, as both teams have visions of going deep into the playoffs and contending for the Super Bowl this season.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Fortunately for the Mets, most of the National League’s playoff-contending teams are flawed, too.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Shanghai and Shenzhen Composite Indices reached the top of recent ranges, encountering resistance.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
On social media, people shared instructions for how to turn off auto-play in order to avoid accidentally encountering what amounted to a snuff video.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Teasdale texted his brother, who was meeting him there, and squeezed through the crowd toward the canopy where Kirk would be speaking.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
That means proactive tax compliance planning is more important than ever, including ensuring current compliance by filing all required returns, paying any outstanding liabilities, and meeting foreign asset and accounts information reporting obligations.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Such a move would represent a dramatic shift aimed at combating short-term thinking inside C-Suites obsessed with pleasing investors but would also mean far less timely insights into the business world and the real economy.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The only effective means of combatting measles is widespread vaccination.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battling. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share