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
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
Instead of fighting fire with fire, Lamont fights fire with facts.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
This face serum brightens and evens skin tone, fights free radicals, supports collagen production, and softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles for glowing, healthy-looking skin.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
The spirit of generosity did finally return to Capitol Hill seeing as last month Congress passed a funding bill that included billions in humanitarian aid, including funding for PEPFAR, the program that fights HIV and tuberculosis in low-income countries.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security has faced a funding shortfall for more than 40 days as Congress fights over federal immigration enforcement.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Jamie joins Daniel Morgan’s Rifle Corps and fights in the Battle of Saratoga.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
In motorcycle manufacture, Thailand fights even further out of it’s weight zone, and is a top-5 global manufacturing nation with Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, BMW and Ducati all having manufacturing plants in the Kingdom.
—Mike Hanlon
march 25, New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2026
Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Privatization could help remove TSA from congressional funding fights.
—Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
What almost nobody mentions in these fights is that the filibuster was never designed at all.
—Tony Vanderhoef, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Officials say incidents have included fights, robberies, and at least one case where a gun was fired into the air during a large gathering.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
Not Trump, who, in the midst of a war with a state sponsor of terrorism, has persisted in picking fights over the funding of the Department of Homeland Security.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
Cops had also been called to his home dozens of times to quash fights between Guevarez and other family members.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Others dropped re-election bids following redistricting fights that scrambled political maps and would have forced them to campaign in new districts.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
While still being finalized, the card features two championship fights.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Instead of fighting fire with fire, Lamont fights fire with facts.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
This face serum brightens and evens skin tone, fights free radicals, supports collagen production, and softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles for glowing, healthy-looking skin.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
The spirit of generosity did finally return to Capitol Hill seeing as last month Congress passed a funding bill that included billions in humanitarian aid, including funding for PEPFAR, the program that fights HIV and tuberculosis in low-income countries.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security has faced a funding shortfall for more than 40 days as Congress fights over federal immigration enforcement.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Jamie joins Daniel Morgan’s Rifle Corps and fights in the Battle of Saratoga.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
In motorcycle manufacture, Thailand fights even further out of it’s weight zone, and is a top-5 global manufacturing nation with Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Harley-Davidson, BMW and Ducati all having manufacturing plants in the Kingdom.
—Mike Hanlon
march 25, New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
Privatized airports avoided long shutdown waits Privatizing airport security, some in the business argue, makes airport workers and travelers less vulnerable to becoming pawns in congressional fights over policy issues.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Privatization could help remove TSA from congressional funding fights.
—Reuters, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
What almost nobody mentions in these fights is that the filibuster was never designed at all.
—Tony Vanderhoef, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Officials say incidents have included fights, robberies, and at least one case where a gun was fired into the air during a large gathering.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
Not Trump, who, in the midst of a war with a state sponsor of terrorism, has persisted in picking fights over the funding of the Department of Homeland Security.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
Cops had also been called to his home dozens of times to quash fights between Guevarez and other family members.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Others dropped re-election bids following redistricting fights that scrambled political maps and would have forced them to campaign in new districts.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
While still being finalized, the card features two championship fights.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fights
Verb
-
Barred from his high school basketball team due to his temper, a hot-head, street-baller battles demons from his past and present to earn a spot on a summer league team and his last shot at a college basketball scholarship.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Beth, who is voiced by Sarah Chalke, asks dad Rick (Ian Cardoni) in the footage as the family battles a beast comprised of couch cushions.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The industry opposes federal regulation aimed at protecting consumers, arguing that such legislation would undermine state authority.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Finally, a group that opposes affirmative action is suing the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, alleging that some college scholarships for Black students discriminate based on race.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Senator Byron Pelton’s daughter competes in high school volleyball and basketball.—
Lisa Frizell,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The endorsement of the former Fox News contributor comes as recent polls show Hilton at the top of the race, as the other major Republican, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, competes with several Democrats for second.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
6 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
-
Made from extra-durable, knife-friendly material, each board resists moisture, supports hygiene, and stands up to daily wear.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Supporters describe him as a fighter but Harris resists the label of politician.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The most recent of many legal skirmishes to come to the public’s attention involves Paris Jackson, Michael Jackson’s daughter.—
Naomi Cahn,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Meta suggested that Kaley’s mental-health struggles were attributable not to social-media addiction but, rather, to her mother’s emotional and physical abuse and neglect, and that Kaley’s social-media use was not the source of her troubles but a way to cope with them.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The mayor last December went on to lose a historic budget vote, in what one ally declared was a return of the 1980s Council Wars – a reference to the struggles of former Mayor Harold Washington.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other footage from that night captured different individuals dancing and socializing in the city's streets, while other moments showed people climbing on cars and brief altercations within the crowd.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Participants have at times made their own license plates, ID, taken over other people’s property and had numerous violent altercations with police.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fights. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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