dogfight

noun

dog·​fight ˈdȯg-ˌfīt How to pronounce dogfight (audio)
Synonyms of dogfightnext
1
: a fight between dogs
broadly : a fiercely disputed contest
2
: a fight between two or more fighter planes usually at close quarters
dogfight intransitive verb
dogfighter noun

Examples of dogfight in a Sentence

He was shot down in a dogfight over enemy territory. The election has turned into a real dogfight.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The aim is to produce crews capable of handling complex multi-domain battlespaces rather than isolated dogfights. David Szondy may 24, New Atlas, 24 May 2026 Using the latest version of Epic’s Unreal Engine, each Smugglers Run locale is heavily detailed, putting us in more of a dogfight as the Mandalorian chases down pirates and ex-Imperial officers. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026 But with their backs against the wall, the Bobcats (37-7-1) fought back and made the series a dogfight. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2026 As the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers partake in a dogfight series for the right to advance to the Eastern Conference finals, the New York Knicks are back at home with their feet kicked up and taking in the action like the rest of us. James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dogfight

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dogfight was circa 1656

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dogfight. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

dogfight

noun
dog·​fight -ˌfīt How to pronounce dogfight (audio)
: a fight at close range between fighter planes
dogfight verb
dogfighter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dogfight

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster