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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
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 battle
Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2025
Tonight’s final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan provides an intriguing tactical battle between two styles of play.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
A lot of those guys are aging or have battled recent injuries.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
Victor died at her home in Sherman Oaks on Friday night surrounded by her family after a battle with lymphoma, her representative told The Hollywood Reporter.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 31 May 2025
Tonight’s final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan provides an intriguing tactical battle between two styles of play.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Verb
Thrasher had been battling cancer before his death.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
A lot of those guys are aging or have battled recent injuries.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
This is not the first time a fight has broken out at a Disney park.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
3 June 2025
-
Police responded to Catawba Valley Boulevard early in the morning on April 6, where shots had been fired into a crowd during a fight.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Nuñez warned that more skirmishes could occur on Sunday as PSG will parade on the Champs-Élysées before celebrating the title with their fans at the Parc des Princes stadium.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
-
Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of land disputes, though Thailand said after the short skirmish that the situation had been resolved.—
DAVID RISING,
Arkansas Online,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
As of mid-May, his operation had mushroomed to include over 20,000 mostly young volunteers, a bigger field team than any of the other 2025 mayoral campaigns bolster.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
-
Additionally, the batteries can be used to power tools or other devices out in the field.—
Ben Coxworth
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
How can the club improve its image around the world, where international fans are less concerned with local rivalries?—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
-
This is also a historic rivalry, so that's why so many people are tuning in.—
Ryan Stano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Cosmetics hosted a kickoff party celebrating Katherine Legge, who was the only woman to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series' BetMGM 300 Saturday, and is the only woman currently competing in the NASCAR Cup & NASCAR Xfinity Series.—
People Staff,
People.com,
25 May 2025
-
Lionel Messi has competed in four Copa Americas in the same timeframe, the only tournament Conmebol contests outside its admittedly draining World Cup qualifying format.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
Both Earps and Hampton have played a very similar number of minutes and faced a very similar number of shots, but Earps’ shot-stopping has not been as strong, conceding 1.6 goals more than expected, based on the quality of shots faced.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
This past week Trump demanded Apple start making iPhones in the US or face a 50% tariff.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
That changed in 2019, when the FCC permitted Verizon to lock devices for 60 days, following the carrier’s argument that the delay would help combat fraud and identity theft.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
23 May 2025
-
The university was accused of failing to establish effective mechanisms for combatting antisemitism until last summer.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
The legislation, Senate Bill 8, passed on a largely party-line vote of 87 to 59, with 13 Democrats opposed and one Republican, Rep. Tom Delnicki of South Windsor, in favor.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
-
Some medical practitioners also opposed the measure.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share