FIGHTS Synonyms: 242 Similar and Opposite Words

fights 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of fight

as in battles

to oppose (someone) in physical conflict a proud people who have fiercely fought all invaders of their homeland

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as in opposes

to strive to reduce or eliminate a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting prejudice

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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

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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!

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as in resists

to refuse to give in to I tried to fight the temptation to eat another cookie—and lost

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fights

2 of 2

noun

plural of fight

as in skirmishes

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups a troubled youth who got into one fight after another

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truces

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

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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

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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 fights

Verb

Today, the sport and the FIA take this more seriously, and Ben Sulayem emphasizes that meaningful results come only when everyone fights together. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 28 Oct. 2026 Flock fights to obscure 100,000 cameras For Flock protesters, cases like the one in Florida are disturbing, since Flock appears to take great pains to obscure who owns cameras where and how large its camera network is. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026 In the most expensive ballot measure fights in California history, $463 million was spent on two gambling proposals 2022. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 Continue reading … -- POLITICS SENATE ON THE LINE — Jackson surges among early ballots as Susan Collins fights to hold her base. — FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Thomas superspeeds Katerina to safety and Vision fights Butcherbird, but Butcherbird is faster and stronger. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 Water shortages do not often get attention from state lawmakers, and fights over resources can pit rural landowners against cities. — Lexi Salazar, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 The brothers operate Feed A Family, a program that fights hunger and food insecurity in Mexico. — Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026 A week later, the Catholic bishops responded to Uthmeier in their own letter, arguing that their differing interpretation of Catholic teachings is exactly what his office fights to protect in terms of constitutional rights and freedom of religion. — Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

In a separate incident, Modesto police cited a Riverbank High School student suspected of making a threatening social media post targeting Beyer following the fights. — Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026 Federal budget fights will likely resurface arguments about tax incentives for EVs and other clean tech. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026 All in One of the most consequential election fights is unfolding down the ballot as Democrats mount an ambitious push to gain 10 state House seats to flip control of the chamber for the first time in decades. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026 This split Congress would also mean legislative gridlock, which could mean tough budget fights and possible government shutdowns. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026 California voters are now being deluged with ads and glossy mailers in what has proven to be one of the most expensive ballot fights in the state's history. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026 The shootings at both Jacksonville parties were the result of fights that then led to gunfire, police said. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026 The campaign opposing Proposition 40 has plenty of money to spend on political messaging in what’s become one of the most expensive ballot fights in California’s history. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026 There were messy confirmation fights over controversial Cabinet picks, the era of DOGE and back-and-forths over trade policy. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fights

Verb

Brown, who battles sickle cell, says writing is her way of putting her thoughts out into the world.

— Monique John, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Nicolas Cage battles the sinkhole that threatened his Malibu home.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of battles

Verb

Combining Instacart and DoorDash would create a larger company that better competes with those rivals.

— Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Alabama State, located in Montgomery, Alabama, competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of competes

Verb

Here, the screen is also supported by a new hinge that effectively resists wobble while remaining easy to open with one hand.

— Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Caribbean countries are attempting to participate as equal partners, while Britain, the former imperial center, resists meaningful engagement with the historical foundations of its wealth and power.

— Brooke N. Newman, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of resists

Noun

Amid Butker’s recent struggles, the Chiefs signed veteran Justin Tucker to the practice squad Wednesday, giving Kansas City another option while providing additional competition for its longtime kicker.

— Pete Sweeney November 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
Centered in large part around the Warsaw Ghetto, the novel brought to life the daily struggles, fears, and remarkable courage of Jewish families living under unimaginable conditions.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of struggles

Noun

Parks workers who don't comply with the new policy could face discipline, officials said, adding, the policy also instructs them to not engage in any verbal or physical altercations with ICE agents.

— Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Other witnesses, including friends of Smith and Parker, recalled past altercations between the couple.

— Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026