as in fighting
Related Words
Relevance
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
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
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
That's because the Ferraris and Mercedes were battling for pole, with the Ferraris up front and Charles Leclerc on conditional pole.
—
Matt Reigle Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2026
Iyo took down Liv with a snapmare and began battling back.
—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Crews were also battling the Iron Fire southwest of Salt Lake City.
—
CBS News,
27 June 2026
In New Mexico, firefighters were battling a blaze that had forced the evacuations of campgrounds and a YMCA camp in the Jemez Mountains.
—
Kathy McCormack,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
The declaration activates additional city resources and seeks state support as firefighters continue battling flare-ups and lingering smoke from the blaze.
—
James Ward,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
And this is especially important considering his grandfather, King Charles, has been battling cancer for a few years, and preparations for his father to take the throne sooner or later are already in place.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 June 2026
Fifteen firefighting units are battling the blaze at the Viva Dominicus Beach resort in La Altagracia province, the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry told ABC News.
—
Aicha El Hammar Castano,
ABC News,
19 June 2026
Verb
The festival presents a total immersion, from sharing space and moments with other festival-goers to battling mud and rain.
—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2026
That's because the Ferraris and Mercedes were battling for pole, with the Ferraris up front and Charles Leclerc on conditional pole.
—
Matt Reigle Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2026
Iyo took down Liv with a snapmare and began battling back.
—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
Crews were also battling the Iron Fire southwest of Salt Lake City.
—
CBS News,
27 June 2026
In New Mexico, firefighters were battling a blaze that had forced the evacuations of campgrounds and a YMCA camp in the Jemez Mountains.
—
Kathy McCormack,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
The declaration activates additional city resources and seeks state support as firefighters continue battling flare-ups and lingering smoke from the blaze.
—
James Ward,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
And this is especially important considering his grandfather, King Charles, has been battling cancer for a few years, and preparations for his father to take the throne sooner or later are already in place.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 June 2026
Fifteen firefighting units are battling the blaze at the Viva Dominicus Beach resort in La Altagracia province, the Dominican Republic Foreign Ministry told ABC News.
—
Aicha El Hammar Castano,
ABC News,
19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battling
Adjective
-
After having two children and settling into post-fighting life on her farm in Riverside, Rousey seriously began to consider an MMA return last year.
-
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.
Verb
-
Louicius Deedson — the only player from Atlanta competing in this World Cup — was coming home.
-
Collectors are competing for works with scarcity, exceptional provenance, and a clear place in art history.
Verb
-
The living room, with abundant west-facing windows brings in soft, bright light.
-
Activists say the move could force families into hiding and criticized the return of individuals to a country facing significant instability.
Verb
-
Maintaining fitness through practices like cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and adequate sleep is crucial for combating decision fatigue, managing stress, and sustaining peak performance over a long career.
-
On its extensive resume are tasks like soothing angry, overheated skin; combatting signs of photoaging courtesy of vitamin C; and preventing moisture loss by way of squalane (an emollient that permeates skin with hydration after salty water or unexpected beach breezes dry it out).
Verb
-
Widely hailed as the GOAT by former record-holder Klose, opposing coaches, and his teammates, Messi continues to perform at an elite level, adapting his game with superior soccer IQ.
-
This makes the shows exempt from the equal-time rule, which requires equal opportunities for opposing political candidates on non-news programming.
Verb
-
Critics also have challenged the report’s characterization of cases involving women, contending these were consensual affairs that were sinful but not abusive.
-
In the special, Arcuri tackles topics like marital pranks and urinal mind games while contending, on the more serious side, with his wife Katie Thurston’s cancer journey.
Verb
-
Heaton recalled encountering a farmer in Uganda while volunteering there.
-
Salonen found renewal not from the desperation of rethinking but from freshening, illuminating the perception of exceptional young musicians first encountering greatness.
Verb
-
The Tartan Army finally made it to Fenway, a sort of Loch Ness Monster meeting the Green Monstah, in time to watch the Texas Rangers beat the Red Sox 6-4, apparently drinking the Hub dry.
-
And also meeting John Sparrow on the bench.
Cite this Entry
“Battling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battling. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
