1
as in to battle
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
a proud people who have fiercely fought all invaders of their homeland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting prejudice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily
if you kids continue to fight, I'm turning this car around and we're heading back home!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to resist
to refuse to give in to
I tried to fight the temptation to eat another cookie—and lost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in battle
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a troubled youth who got into one fight after another
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in struggle
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
the mayoral candidate pledged to lead a successful fight to improve the city's schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel
a tough, streetwise kid with a lot of fight in him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the couple have their share of fights, but they quickly get over them
Synonyms & Similar 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 fight
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The company fought to preserve that business.
—Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
Privatization could help remove TSA from congressional funding fights.
—Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fight
Verb
Kawamura and Hirase seem to have perceived the immersive limitations of the movie medium—and, rather than fighting those limitations, adapted their story accordingly.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The company fought to preserve that business.
—Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
Police are investigating what started the fight that led to the shooting.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026
Privatization could help remove TSA from congressional funding fights.
—Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fight
Verb
-
Each independent advocate works differently, doing anything from helping people figure out how to take the next steps after a diagnosis to battling with insurance companies to getting patients in quickly for a test or a second opinion.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous country, is battling a complex security crisis, especially in the north where there is a decade-long insurgency and several armed groups who kidnap for ransom.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jalen Brunson knows any variation of offensive plays featuring both him and All-Star teammate Karl-Anthony Towns can be difficult, nearly impossible for opposing defenses to guard.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the changes, several groups continue to oppose the bill, including Mental Health America of California.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This was, according to the charter, arguably the moment when OpenAI might stop competing with other companies and start working with them.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Just go out there tomorrow and try to compete.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the time of the invite, Congress was furiously bickering over a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, as Democrats refused to allocate funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Pointing to elk heads mounted on the wall, the two jokingly bickered over who had bowhunted which.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The jury award was a spur to understand a life recognizably shaped by social-media algorithms, in ways that were perhaps near-impossible to resist, as a serious injury to an entire generation.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Desmon Moore also physically resisted officers, documents filed with the court allege.—
Nick Sullivan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These rules had been tightened since 2020, when relations soured following a deadly border skirmish in the Galwan Valley, where several Indian and Chinese soldiers died.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ambassador, who was not identified or criminally charged, stabbed Berry during a struggle that began after the ambassador asked Berry and a teenage girl to stop vaping on a bus.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The Wolverines missed their first 11 shots from 3, finished 2 for 15 from there and won despite the struggles of its best player, Yaxel Lendeborg.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These differences were stronger in young people with more behavior problems that are shown outwardly, such as aggression, frequent anger, irritability, and refusing to follow rules.—
Crista Marchesseault,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Taipei, Taiwan — In the face of growing Chinese military aggression, Taiwan has increased defense spending, extended mandatory conscription and revamped its combat exercises, signaling its determination to fight off a potential invasion.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fight. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
