1
as in battled
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 opposed
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 competed
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 bickered
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 resisted
to refuse to give in to
I tried to fight the temptation to eat another cookie—and lost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 fought
The memory of that episode—and of the country’s long and bloody civil war, fought from 1975 to 1990—still looms.
—
Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
José Palma, national coordinator of the National TPS Alliance — an advocacy group that has fought in federal courts against the cancellation of TPS for several countries—welcomed the extension of protections for the Lebanese.
—Gisela Salomon, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
The effort echoes other groups who have fought, over decades, to bring professional teams to Sacramento — or prevent franchises from leaving.
—Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
The sculpture is set to be back on display just in time for Lexington’s Minnie Mae Day on June 13, which celebrates Minnie Mae Talbott, who fought adversity to become the nation’s first woman elected sheriff in 1919.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
All of them fought unsuccessfully to end the oversight arrangement — repeatedly coming close, only to watch the department once again become embroiled in scandal.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
The tragic death of Matthew Perry was heartbreaking for millions who loved him as an actor and admired him as a man who fought, often publicly and painfully, to overcome his addictions.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
Mirabeau’s words in support of universal equality were addressed to the plantation owners in France’s overseas colonies who had fought vigorously to be allowed to have deputies in the National Assembly.
—Jeremy D. Popkin, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford, who fought against mandatory ICE cooperation legislation this spring, is now preparing to voluntarily sign a 287(g) agreement for the warrant service officer program with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Chadd Cripe. Produced With Ai Assistance, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2026
Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
José Palma, national coordinator of the National TPS Alliance — an advocacy group that has fought in federal courts against the cancellation of TPS for several countries—welcomed the extension of protections for the Lebanese.
—Gisela Salomon, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
The effort echoes other groups who have fought, over decades, to bring professional teams to Sacramento — or prevent franchises from leaving.
—Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
The sculpture is set to be back on display just in time for Lexington’s Minnie Mae Day on June 13, which celebrates Minnie Mae Talbott, who fought adversity to become the nation’s first woman elected sheriff in 1919.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
All of them fought unsuccessfully to end the oversight arrangement — repeatedly coming close, only to watch the department once again become embroiled in scandal.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
The tragic death of Matthew Perry was heartbreaking for millions who loved him as an actor and admired him as a man who fought, often publicly and painfully, to overcome his addictions.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
Mirabeau’s words in support of universal equality were addressed to the plantation owners in France’s overseas colonies who had fought vigorously to be allowed to have deputies in the National Assembly.
—Jeremy D. Popkin, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford, who fought against mandatory ICE cooperation legislation this spring, is now preparing to voluntarily sign a 287(g) agreement for the warrant service officer program with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
—Chadd Cripe. Produced With Ai Assistance, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fought
Verb
-
In July 2023, firefighters battled a blaze on the property for four days after a conveyor belt fire spread to bark chip piles and structures, according to local fire and rescue officials.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
The Red Sox had battled the Atlanta Braves to a 2-2 score, but reliever Danny Coulombe opened the sixth inning by allowing an infield single and back-to-back walks to load the bases with no outs.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Natalee's mother, Beth, opposed the request, however.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
That same month, the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House opposed Anthropic's plan to expand access to its powerful Mythos model.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
This past winter In Aspen, Lobos served as the official tequila sponsor of the Snow Polo Championships, where Osorio competed in a friendly match alongside Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras.—
Gina Pace,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Four area teams from the greater Fort Worth-area competed for titles, with one taking home back-to-back gold.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The video went viral, and the two eventually bickered about it on social media later Sunday night.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
My parents bickered constantly, my sister was demanding and always in a conflict with them, and my grandparents would scream at each other.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Media buyers have pressed for rollbacks in cable, and the media companies have resisted.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 June 2026
-
Iowa’s farm lobby remains among the most influential in state politics, and Republican leaders have generally resisted stricter environmental regulations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The awards, created by Prince William, are designed to inspire new environmental ideas and initiatives — and optimism that climate change and other challenges can be combated.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
In the midst of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, TNG also combated racial discrimination in the news industry in hiring and promotion.—
Errol Salamon,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But organizers contended that a union would give them the legal right to a seat at the table in decisions about their jobs.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
Charter leaders and advocates have contended that charters are underfunded by CPS compared to district-run schools.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Some strategists argued that Beijing’s tightening also coincides with a broader push to channel investor enthusiasm toward China’s domestic technology champions and strategic industries -- for instance, a series of initial public offerings expected in coming months.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
-
Warikoo argued the bigger question for business leaders is not simply what AI can replace, but what kind of workforce society wants to build alongside it—especially as technology gets close to AGI.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fought. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
