1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle
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4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players
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1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of battle
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 24 June 2025
In a dystopian world divided by war, two rival sides battle for control.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 June 2025
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
Tariffs on medicines will similarly be passed on to people battling heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other serious conditions.
—Ron Nehring, Oc Register, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
The filing comes as part of Musk’s broader legal battle accusing OpenAI and Sam Altman of straying from their nonprofit roots.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 24 June 2025
In a dystopian world divided by war, two rival sides battle for control.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
Two firefighters battling a house blaze were transported to the hospital for heat exhaustion, as temps surged past 100 degrees on Tuesday.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
Tariffs on medicines will similarly be passed on to people battling heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other serious conditions.
—Ron Nehring, Oc Register, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
Amid the physical fights during each game, the broader battle between Gi-hun and the Front Man has always been existential: Are people worth saving?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
27 June 2025
-
Then, in 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts do not have a role to play in deciding legal fights over partisan gerrymandering, when state's voting lines are drawn to entrench the political party in power.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
The protests were substantially peaceful, although small skirmishes resulting in arrests, damage to property and injuries broke out when police tried to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas.—
Megan Schrader,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
-
Eisman drew similarities between the rocky trade environment and lead-up to World War I, likely referring to a series of treaties forged in the decades before the war designed to settle regional skirmishes that, in reality, created two massive, and eventually opposing, alliances.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
In addition to the Vienna field study, the company offers courses to professional and civic leaders on housing policy and homelessness.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
-
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Steer clear of open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The Wolf Pack have fallen behind in the Mountain West in recent years, and are staying in the conference while others head to the Pac-12, so that rivalry flame is dying.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Canada in particular has used legislation to compel foreign digital platforms to hand over cash to help local producers compete against Hollywood by directly subsidizing local content.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
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He's known for being an elite three-point shooter, which is something Detroit could definitely use more of in order to compete at the highest level in the conference.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by shouting or waving your arms.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
-
New directives like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive will soon require U.S. companies to identify and address environmental and human rights risks across their supply chains—or face legal liability.—
Anjali Chaudhry,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed executive orders aimed at rolling back DEI initiatives, with one of them including directives for federal agencies to combat DEI in the private sector.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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Antioxidants can help combat free radicals, unstable molecules that damage the body’s cells and can lead to cancer.2 Small amounts of fluoride, folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, and beta-carotene can be found in raw tomatoes.—
Andrea Michelson,
Verywell Health,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Those opposed to institutional real estate investors have pushed for restrictions or outright bans on SFR ownership by institutional investors.—
Caleb Petitt,
National Review,
24 June 2025
-
The Federal Reserve’s vice-chair for supervision Michelle Bowman is now the second Fed official to support rate cuts as soon as July, opposing Fed chair Jerome Powell.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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