as in battling
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Dissimilar Words
as in combat
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in combating
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
a proud people who have fiercely fought all invaders of their homeland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposing
to strive to reduce or eliminate
a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting prejudice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in competing
to engage in a contest
everyone on that street seems to be fighting to see who can create the gaudiest holiday lighting display
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in bickering
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 resisting
to refuse to give in to
I tried to fight the temptation to eat another cookie—and lost
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of fighting
ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
But this story isn’t just for pro-fighting fans.
—Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
Some had joined Ukrainian combat units as volunteers, while others have sought to assist the Ukrainian people in non-fighting capacities.
—Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
But the computer model couldn’t distinguish fighting roosters from non-fighting roosters.
—Jeff Horwitz, WSJ, 17 Oct. 2021
Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Michael Loria The war with Iran has sparked fighting throughout the Middle East, including in Lebanon where Israel and Iran ally Hezbollah have been fighting intermittently for generations.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
In 2025, Pakistan was involved in a short war with historical rival India – the most intense fighting between the two countries for nearly 30 years.
—Rabia Akhtar, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
Officials say the events have caused traffic disruptions, fighting, assaults, and property damage.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Beyond the materials used, 100 percent of stormwater is captured and stored in a retention pond, which can be used as a backup water source when fighting fires.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2026
Brent crude oil, the international standard, has soared during the fighting, and was around $107 in morning trading on Friday, up more than 47% since the start of the war.
—Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
With little end to the fighting in sight, is this still a single war of unified purpose, two separate conflicts being fought concurrently or a bit of both?
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
France says the fighting would have to die down first.
—Sam McNeil, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Michael Loria The war with Iran has sparked fighting throughout the Middle East, including in Lebanon where Israel and Iran ally Hezbollah have been fighting intermittently for generations.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Babiš has opposed some key European Union policies on environment and migration and rejected any financial aid for Ukraine and guarantees for EU loans to the country fighting the Russian invasion, joining the ranks of Prime Ministers Viktor Orbán of Hungary and Robert Fico of Slovakia.
—ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
The Orlando Pride welcomed expansion side Denver Summit FC to town, fighting hard for a 1-1 draw.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Despite Netanyahu’s claims on Thursday about Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, fighting continued between Israel and Iran.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Why are Pakistan and Afghanistan fighting now?
—Rabia Akhtar, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
Losing JuJu Watkins to injury for the entirety of this season forced USC (17-13) to regroup and find its new identity while fighting through a Big Ten Conference schedule that threw a challenging opponent at the team every week.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
The Nuggets have been fighting one battle after another for the last week, facing four Western Conference playoff teams in four different cities.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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, 21 Feb. 2026
But this story isn’t just for pro-fighting fans.
—Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
Some had joined Ukrainian combat units as volunteers, while others have sought to assist the Ukrainian people in non-fighting capacities.
—Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
But the computer model couldn’t distinguish fighting roosters from non-fighting roosters.
—Jeff Horwitz, WSJ, 17 Oct. 2021
Noun
Britain is refusing to be drawn into the war and France says the fighting would have to die down first.
—Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Michael Loria The war with Iran has sparked fighting throughout the Middle East, including in Lebanon where Israel and Iran ally Hezbollah have been fighting intermittently for generations.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
In 2025, Pakistan was involved in a short war with historical rival India – the most intense fighting between the two countries for nearly 30 years.
—Rabia Akhtar, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
Officials say the events have caused traffic disruptions, fighting, assaults, and property damage.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Beyond the materials used, 100 percent of stormwater is captured and stored in a retention pond, which can be used as a backup water source when fighting fires.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2026
Brent crude oil, the international standard, has soared during the fighting, and was around $107 in morning trading on Friday, up more than 47% since the start of the war.
—Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
With little end to the fighting in sight, is this still a single war of unified purpose, two separate conflicts being fought concurrently or a bit of both?
—Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
France says the fighting would have to die down first.
—Sam McNeil, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
But is everyone really fighting in this scenario?
—Stuart James, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Michael Loria The war with Iran has sparked fighting throughout the Middle East, including in Lebanon where Israel and Iran ally Hezbollah have been fighting intermittently for generations.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Babiš has opposed some key European Union policies on environment and migration and rejected any financial aid for Ukraine and guarantees for EU loans to the country fighting the Russian invasion, joining the ranks of Prime Ministers Viktor Orbán of Hungary and Robert Fico of Slovakia.
—ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
The Orlando Pride welcomed expansion side Denver Summit FC to town, fighting hard for a 1-1 draw.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Despite Netanyahu’s claims on Thursday about Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, fighting continued between Israel and Iran.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Why are Pakistan and Afghanistan fighting now?
—Rabia Akhtar, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
Losing JuJu Watkins to injury for the entirety of this season forced USC (17-13) to regroup and find its new identity while fighting through a Big Ten Conference schedule that threw a challenging opponent at the team every week.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
The Nuggets have been fighting one battle after another for the last week, facing four Western Conference playoff teams in four different cities.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fighting
Noun
-
Following the fire, the crew kept up combat sorties until the withdrawal decision.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The drill involves recruits elevating their heart rates through calisthenics and then simulating hand-to-hand combat with a physically aggressive suspect while wearing a padded suit for protection.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The sudden reversal of fortunes comes as Jansa has been battling accusations of hiring an Israeli private intelligence company to sway the result following a series of video recordings reporting corruption among the prime minister's allies.—
Jan Bratanic Bloomberg,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
In other cases, unions and business interests are battling with dueling signature campaigns.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Republicans are eager to put Democrats on record opposing the bill’s hallmark components, including proof of citizenship when registering to vote and a national standard for photo IDs at the ballot box.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Rather, they are required to provide such opportunities if legally qualified opposing candidates request it.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Street parties and samba Built in 1984 to provide a dedicated space for Rio’s competing escolas de samba, the Sambadrome has become a mainstay during Carnival – but the city’s blocos (street parties) are just as fundamental.—
Laura French,
TheWeek,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Two of the top four picks were Duke teammates Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, who now are competing for NBA rookie of the year honors.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ukraine's European allies have promised to maintain their steadfast support, but bickering over a major 90 billion euro ($106 billion) European Union loan to cover Kyiv's military and economic needs for two years has reflected the mounting challenges.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Her grandparents are constantly bickering, worn down by the pressures of keeping the family hotel afloat.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fry has been arrested more than two dozen times since 2003, on a range of offenses including assault, burglary, driving with an invalid license, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, according to court records.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Early Wednesday morning, FSU kicker Conor McAneney was arrested on felony charges for battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence, according to jail records.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During that period, Hezbollah engaged in insurgency warfare, fueled by religious zeal and supported by Iran.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Filaret had a more limited role in recent years as the cultural and religious divide between Ukraine and Russia widened into full-scale warfare.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In contrast, one of the Biden administration’s first acts in 2021 was to formally task its agencies with combating anti-LGBTQ legislation globally.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Like those projects, The Sherwood will work Our Path Home, a consortium of organizations combatting homelessness, identify and aid future residents.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fighting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fighting. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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