battle/clash of wills

noun phrase

: a contest in which each side is determined to get what it wants and neither side seems willing to yield or compromise
He won the battle/clash of wills with his wife.

Examples of battle/clash of wills in a Sentence

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The Patriots will play in Super Bowl LX, thanks to a 10-7 triumph over the Broncos in an AFC Championship that evolved into a wintry battle of wills. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026 The first quarter moon takes place with the sun squares the moon, which is an aspect of challenge and friction, given the battle of wills between two signs of the same modality. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Jan. 2026 The battle of wills is playing out in relation to other nations, too. — Niall Stanage, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2026 This was Martin Scorsese and James Joyce, an epic clash of wills and a winding contest that will stand the test of time. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for battle/clash of wills

Browse Nearby Words

battle chess
battle/clash of wills
battle clasp
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Cite this Entry

“Battle/clash of wills.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battle%2Fclash%20of%20wills. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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