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
Charles J. Dimitroff, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
For the game’s first teaser trailer and look into the gameplay during today’s Nintendo Direct, Sora fights a Darkside Heartless in Quadratum, a land introduced in KH3 that’s inspired by Shibuya, Tokyo.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 9 June 2026
The government fights the fly by breeding sterile male flies, which then mate with wild females that only mate once in their monthslong life.
—ABC News, 8 June 2026
Tom's Watch Bar in Navy Yard and Public Bar Live in Dupont Circle are often regarded as two of the most popular places to watch UFC fights in the city.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 8 June 2026
The government fights the fly by breeding sterile male flies, which then mate with wild females that mate only once in their months-long life.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
While our money would be on The Last Son of Krypton in a main card matchup, Lobo fights dirty with a level of primal savagery that just might put the Big Blue Boy Scout and his cousin down for a few rounds.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 6 June 2026
Especially women, with all those drunken servicemen rolling through, packs of them, fights spilling out of the cafés, catcalls and spitting in the streets.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
She was seen in the ring for the Jahmal Harvey-Kevin Cervantes and the Paul-Anthony Joshua fights.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 14 June 2026
Trump has sought to tie Sunday’s event — which features seven fights running past midnight — to larger, months-long celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
The president has sought to tie Sunday’s event — which features seven fights running past midnight — to larger, months-long celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
—ABC News, 14 June 2026
Fans are also watching from the nearby Ellipse, and UFC has a map of bars showing the fights.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 14 June 2026
The banter between Hugh and Diana was clear and crisp, easy to hear through during fights when both the sounds of combat and the game's bloopy electronic soundtrack.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026
Topuria has knockouts in his past three wins, all UFC title fights.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Unlike so many iconic American fights, held in the halls of Congress or on the streets of major cities, this campaign is being waged for the most part in obscurity.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
This year, the event was more spread out in downtown Lee’s Summit, with the fights concentrated in the entrance to the festival area.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
Verb
In this approach, a patient’s T cells – a type of immune cell that fights pathogens and cancer – are removed and genetically engineered to better recognize cancer before being returned to the body.
—Charles J. Dimitroff, The Conversation, 12 June 2026
For the game’s first teaser trailer and look into the gameplay during today’s Nintendo Direct, Sora fights a Darkside Heartless in Quadratum, a land introduced in KH3 that’s inspired by Shibuya, Tokyo.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 9 June 2026
The government fights the fly by breeding sterile male flies, which then mate with wild females that only mate once in their monthslong life.
—ABC News, 8 June 2026
Tom's Watch Bar in Navy Yard and Public Bar Live in Dupont Circle are often regarded as two of the most popular places to watch UFC fights in the city.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 8 June 2026
The government fights the fly by breeding sterile male flies, which then mate with wild females that mate only once in their months-long life.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
While our money would be on The Last Son of Krypton in a main card matchup, Lobo fights dirty with a level of primal savagery that just might put the Big Blue Boy Scout and his cousin down for a few rounds.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 6 June 2026
Especially women, with all those drunken servicemen rolling through, packs of them, fights spilling out of the cafés, catcalls and spitting in the streets.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
She was seen in the ring for the Jahmal Harvey-Kevin Cervantes and the Paul-Anthony Joshua fights.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Noun
Seven cage fights will be held on the White House grounds in honor of the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary – a day that also happens to be the president's 80th birthday.
—Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 14 June 2026
Trump has sought to tie Sunday’s event — which features seven fights running past midnight — to larger, months-long celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
—Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
The president has sought to tie Sunday’s event — which features seven fights running past midnight — to larger, months-long celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
—ABC News, 14 June 2026
Fans are also watching from the nearby Ellipse, and UFC has a map of bars showing the fights.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 14 June 2026
The banter between Hugh and Diana was clear and crisp, easy to hear through during fights when both the sounds of combat and the game's bloopy electronic soundtrack.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026
Topuria has knockouts in his past three wins, all UFC title fights.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Unlike so many iconic American fights, held in the halls of Congress or on the streets of major cities, this campaign is being waged for the most part in obscurity.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
This year, the event was more spread out in downtown Lee’s Summit, with the fights concentrated in the entrance to the festival area.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fights
Verb
-
Starter Eric Lauer battles erratic fastball command and early damage yet completes six innings, while the Rays’ Nick Martinez matches him before a bullpen misstep to Rojas decides a tight opener.—
Liana Handler
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
-
Right Now As the country battles a deadly second wave, international donations are helping local communities access essential items.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The agency represents the public, particularly residential and small-businesses customers, in utility proceedings and opposes the proposal.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
13 June 2026
-
Also last week, the House passed an aid package to Ukraine, which Trump opposes, after 18 Republicans broke with their party and joined Democrats.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
There’s no denying that the Sym TTLBT competes in the premium maxi-scooter segment against the likes of the Kymco AK 550i, Yamaha TMax, and the Honda Forza 750.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 13,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
-
The Speed Twin 1200 competes most naturally with bikes like the Kawasaki Z900RS, Yamaha XSR900, BMW R 12 nineT and Moto Guzzi V7.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
12 June 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 ambiguity of Chinese, the way meaning pools in the spaces between words, resists translation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
-
The enamel is nonreactive, nonporous, and also resists stains, rust, scratches, and smell absorption.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.—
,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
-
One of those skirmishes, in fact, involved Childress himself, in 2011 at Kansas Speedway, when the then-65-year-old car owner for an opposing team got into a physical altercation with Busch after an on-track incident.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Prices of essential goods have soared and many people have lost their jobs, with millions now at risk of falling into poverty amid widespread economic struggles.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
Not by putting anyone on blast and not by outing anyone’s struggles, but by keeping the burden of truth squarely on my shoulders.—
Ali Lerman,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Over the last few months, Taylor has been embroiled in a series of legal battles with Mortensen, first beginning in February with a pair of investigations by Utah police departments into allegations each made that the other acted violently during altercations that month.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
-
Durso alleged that Valle was upset after the previous altercations and lost his cool when his friend’s vehicle was damaged by the crowd of youths who rocked and shook the vehicle Valle and his friends arrived in.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fights. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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