1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle
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4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players
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1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of battle
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 24 June 2025
In a dystopian world divided by war, two rival sides battle for control.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 June 2025
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
Tariffs on medicines will similarly be passed on to people battling heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other serious conditions.
—Ron Nehring, Oc Register, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
The filing comes as part of Musk’s broader legal battle accusing OpenAI and Sam Altman of straying from their nonprofit roots.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 24 June 2025
In a dystopian world divided by war, two rival sides battle for control.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
Two firefighters battling a house blaze were transported to the hospital for heat exhaustion, as temps surged past 100 degrees on Tuesday.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
Tariffs on medicines will similarly be passed on to people battling heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other serious conditions.
—Ron Nehring, Oc Register, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
Amid the physical fights during each game, the broader battle between Gi-hun and the Front Man has always been existential: Are people worth saving?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
27 June 2025
-
Then, in 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts do not have a role to play in deciding legal fights over partisan gerrymandering, when state's voting lines are drawn to entrench the political party in power.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
The protests were substantially peaceful, although small skirmishes resulting in arrests, damage to property and injuries broke out when police tried to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas.—
Megan Schrader,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
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Eisman drew similarities between the rocky trade environment and lead-up to World War I, likely referring to a series of treaties forged in the decades before the war designed to settle regional skirmishes that, in reality, created two massive, and eventually opposing, alliances.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
Noun
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In addition to the Vienna field study, the company offers courses to professional and civic leaders on housing policy and homelessness.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
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If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Steer clear of open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2025
Noun
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McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The rivalry between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr has spilled into a war of words in recent years, roughly dating back to when the former claimed to have been under the weather during the 2023 world championships.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Tax credit awards are highly competitive, with multiple firms competing for a limited pool of funds, meaning the make-or-break financing source is anything but certain.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
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Players compete at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) in Wimbledon, London.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Denmark face France and Germany play Italy in the remaining two other quarter-finals on Sunday.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
-
Limited to only 60-70 pitches, the 24-year-old Tidwell threw 74 of them, with Mendoza wanting left-hander Jose Castillo to face No. 9 hitter Brandon Marsh, another lefty.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
Verb
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Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed executive orders aimed at rolling back DEI initiatives, with one of them including directives for federal agencies to combat DEI in the private sector.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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Antioxidants can help combat free radicals, unstable molecules that damage the body’s cells and can lead to cancer.2 Small amounts of fluoride, folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, and beta-carotene can be found in raw tomatoes.—
Andrea Michelson,
Verywell Health,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Adding this kind of power alongside Aaron Judge would create nightmares for opposing pitchers.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
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Within the classroom, the Trump policy has meant opposing curriculum that allows for more than a binary — male or female — expression of gender.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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