1
as in battles
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 opposes
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 competes
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 bickers
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 resists
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 skirmishes
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 struggles
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 altercations
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
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Recent Examples of fights
David Chiu, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
These fights often concern cuisines that rarely see the spotlight.
—Jamie Feldmar, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026
As the Democratic Party fights to regain control of Congress, organizations affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence have dominated the airwaves, sometimes leaving candidates on the sidelines of their own campaigns.
—Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Set in the last year of World War II on the remote North Sea island of Amrum, the story is told from the point of view of 12-year-old Nanning (Jasper Billerbeck), whose zealot mother (Laura Tonke) is raising him as a good Nazi while his father fights in the war.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
Bryan fights to stay likable enough to keep his appeal broad and often overqualifies what could seem like implicitly left-leaning positions.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … FISTS FLY — Angels slugger fights former teammates in wild brawl following inside pitch.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Revisiting elections in Georgia and Arizona, too California isn't the only place where fights − and investigations − over ballot counting are taking place.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Blaydes fights Josh Hokit on the main card of UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2026
Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Another admonishes participants not to urinate in the street, start fights, block streets, climb on cars or deface property — all things that have been problems some years.
—Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
One of the most prominent hitmakers of the era were Human League — one of the few bands to endure for more than four decades without massive fights, angst and breakups.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
In the same neighborhood a few weeks later, eight children were arrested after multiple fights broke out, according to FOX 5 DC.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Bigger fights can lead to bigger paydays, and Baumgardner doesn’t want a perception of women’s fights to limit her potential in the sport.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
Players will explore five major districts filled with boss fights and new abilities.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
The fights to publish them are well worth it.
—Jamie Feldmar, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026
Procházka now holds a 6-2 record in the UFC with all eight fights ending inside the distance.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
After years making other kinds of headlines in their community, their split is now playing out publicly as Mike fights to have the court enforce the couple’s prenuptial agreement, which would pay Constance a lump sum of $1 million.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
These fights often concern cuisines that rarely see the spotlight.
—Jamie Feldmar, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026
As the Democratic Party fights to regain control of Congress, organizations affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence have dominated the airwaves, sometimes leaving candidates on the sidelines of their own campaigns.
—Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Set in the last year of World War II on the remote North Sea island of Amrum, the story is told from the point of view of 12-year-old Nanning (Jasper Billerbeck), whose zealot mother (Laura Tonke) is raising him as a good Nazi while his father fights in the war.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
Bryan fights to stay likable enough to keep his appeal broad and often overqualifies what could seem like implicitly left-leaning positions.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … FISTS FLY — Angels slugger fights former teammates in wild brawl following inside pitch.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Revisiting elections in Georgia and Arizona, too California isn't the only place where fights − and investigations − over ballot counting are taking place.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Blaydes fights Josh Hokit on the main card of UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
There are glimpses of crossover fights between Gambit (Channing Tatum) and Shang-Chi (Simu Liu); Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh); and Doom and Thor (Hemsworth).
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Another admonishes participants not to urinate in the street, start fights, block streets, climb on cars or deface property — all things that have been problems some years.
—Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
One of the most prominent hitmakers of the era were Human League — one of the few bands to endure for more than four decades without massive fights, angst and breakups.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
In the same neighborhood a few weeks later, eight children were arrested after multiple fights broke out, according to FOX 5 DC.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Bigger fights can lead to bigger paydays, and Baumgardner doesn’t want a perception of women’s fights to limit her potential in the sport.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
Players will explore five major districts filled with boss fights and new abilities.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
The fights to publish them are well worth it.
—Jamie Feldmar, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026
Procházka now holds a 6-2 record in the UFC with all eight fights ending inside the distance.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fights
Verb
-
As Halsey battles addiction and Luke confronts his own darkness, their growing feelings force them to question if love is worth the risk.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The three-match tournament ends with rivalry matchups next Friday in Chicago, when USA faces Canada and Australia battles New Zealand.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yet while most of the country opposes the Iran conflict, Republican voters maintain their support for the president’s actions — a major factor in the defeat of Thursday’s measure.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Hezbollah, which opposes the talks and was not represented, escalated attacks on northern Israel as negotiations began.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lukas Prock, a former Wellesley standout quarterback, now competes for The Hun School in New Jersey.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
This is the energy that initiates, competes and takes up space without apology.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The pope, played by Samora la Perdida, is a mincing oaf who bickers with Galas about the value of translating Wagner.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The bed resists public-facing things, hence its charge as a womb to tomb motif.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation would create uniform statewide standards, replacing the current patchwork of local ordinances, an approach that has the backing of the Illinois Municipal League, which typically resists state efforts to preempt home rule authority.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 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
-
Jokic contributed mightily to those struggles, going 7 for 26 from the floor as Gobert again won that individual matchup.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This year that quarterback-in-waiting is Alabama’s Ty Simpson, a talented and smart player whose evaluation is complicated by injury struggles, as well as a lack of starting experience and consistency.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other proposals in the legislative package would require city agencies to report on social media’s impact on young people’s mental health and study how their online activity can lead to face-to-face altercations.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
On Sunday, the Village of Skokie posted a statement to their website in regards to the two youth altercations, stating that officials were made aware of the two separate incidents by Skokie Police and the Skokie Park District.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fights. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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