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 sparWhen an offer came to spar with Usyk in Ukraine and work wouldn’t give him time off, Wardley quit to fully focus on his surprise new career.—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
8 May 2026 But his Hamlet needs a stalwart supporting cast with whom to spar, and Ahmed tangles beautifully with Shakespeare veteran Timothy Spall, who plays Laertes’ father and family adviser Polonius, and Morfydd Clark as a steely but vulnerable Ophelia.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026 The shutdown remained in effect Friday as congressional Democrats and Republicans continued to spar over reforms to federal immigration enforcement agencies, which are also part of DHS.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026 But Perez and DeSantis continued to spar throughout that session as the House investigated the first lady’s premier initiative, Hope Florida, and advanced a raft of bills the governor disagreed with.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spar
Algeria turned up the pressure in the second half and had multiple shots on goal that Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila punched away, but a corner kick in the 69th minute proved to be the Jordanian keeper’s kryptonite.
—
Christian Babcock,
Mercury News,
23 June 2026
At least in comparison to Gragson being punched by Ross Chastain at the Kansas Speedway three years ago.
Another worker described the chaos as well over a dozen teens brawled inside the diner.
—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2026
The conflict that ensues is startling in the intensity of its violence, as bodies brawl and break in the mud, flaming torches are taken to the face, and red-hot blades are seared into flesh.
Israeli strikes hit several towns in southern Lebanon on Saturday morning local time, killing at least five people, Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported, despite Israel and Hezbollah renewing their truce Friday.
—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Temperatures are expected to soar on June 22 in parts of Oregon and Washington, possibly hitting 100 degrees in Portland and at least 90 degrees in Seattle.
What if the man had slugged me and gotten the better of me?
—
Bob Brody,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
That proved costly as the Cubs’ slim 2-1 lead vanished the next inning when Carrigg slugged a go-ahead, three-run home run off reliever Caleb Thielbar.
—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026