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
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
Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 20 May 2025
In the first set, Lexington battled back from down 22-20 to take a 25-24 lead on Mahin Rajesh’s (22 assists, two blocks, two kills) kill.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 20 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
Wilson battled Lindor through a 10-pitch at-bat before finally getting the leadoff hitter swinging to strike out.
—Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 20 May 2025
In the first set, Lexington battled back from down 22-20 to take a 25-24 lead on Mahin Rajesh’s (22 assists, two blocks, two kills) kill.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
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The awards ceremony reception was being held outdoors when the fight between two adults led to the stabbing, a Fort Worth ISD spokesperson said in a statement.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 May 2025
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Even when cases of public console hacking have led to protracted legal fights—such as George Hotz's saga with the PS3 or Team Xecuter's Switch jailbreaks—console makers don't seem to have used technical means to completely disable offline functions for specific consoles.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Past skirmishes with Pakistan had allowed Modi to construct a triumphalist narrative of strength that played to his domestic audience.—
Vaibhav Vats,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2025
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Fever star Caitlin Clark and Reese got into a skirmish during the game, which sparked boos from the home crowd.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
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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
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This nightmare scenario for 49ers fans is realistic: When Super Bowl LX is played in Santa Clara on the Niners’ field, the Rams could be representing the NFC.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
Noun
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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
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This is also a historic rivalry, so that's why so many people are tuning in.—
Ryan Stano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Verb
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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
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On March 8, 1990, when Lyle was arrested in connection with their parents' murders, Erik was competing in a tennis tournament in Israel.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
Verb
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This past week Trump demanded Apple start making iPhones in the US or face a 50% tariff.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Experts predict an increase in space tourism over the coming decades, potentially accelerating global warming in a world already struggling to combat its effects.—
Sheetal Khedkar Rao,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
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The university was accused of failing to establish effective mechanisms for combatting antisemitism until last summer.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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 5 Jun. 2025.
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