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
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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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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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of battle
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
On rough ground, the CV90 allows travel 30% to 40% faster than existing main battle tanks, while reducing pitch acceleration by about 40%, according to BAE.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Hollywood star and Wrexham AFC co-owner Ryan Reynolds has donated UK£10,000 ($13,638) to help a 13-year-old Welsh girl battling a rare heart cancer visit New York City this Christmas.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
The final contest between Ali and Frazier was the culmination of a relationship that had begun in friendship but curdled into deep enmity, the decisive battle in a war that had become larger than the two men in the ring.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
On rough ground, the CV90 allows travel 30% to 40% faster than existing main battle tanks, while reducing pitch acceleration by about 40%, according to BAE.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
For those battling severe disease, foundation staffers can work with you one-on-one to fight a denial.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Hollywood star and Wrexham AFC co-owner Ryan Reynolds has donated UK£10,000 ($13,638) to help a 13-year-old Welsh girl battling a rare heart cancer visit New York City this Christmas.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
What looked like a fair fight in the early 2010s — Everton finished above Liverpool in the final two seasons of Moyes’ first spell in charge — is very different in 2025.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Perhaps nowhere was the fight over meaning as pronounced as with the cryptic messages etched into the bullet cartridges by the shooter.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Regions of Africa and Southern Asia are embroiled in deadly and underreported skirmishes, and areas of Mexico and Haiti are torn by gang violence akin to civil war.—
Daniella Walsh,
Oc Register,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Delhi sees Beijing as its biggest threat, particularly since some border skirmishes that began in 2020.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Matthews immediately went down and stayed on the field as medical staff rushed to the field.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The Commanders are hoping to get back on the field soon, but changes are needed.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Those games include matchups versus the NFC North, AFC North divisional rivalry games versus the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers as well as a late season road showdown against the Buffalo Bills.—
Kambui Bomani,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The Studio beat The Bear for the most wins for a comedy series in a single year, while The Pitt reigned supreme in its rivalry with Severance and Britt Lower pulled an upset in Lead Actress in a Drama over Kathy Bates.—
Vulture Staff,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The spending bill failed in the Senate, as did a competing bill by Senate Democrats.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Two days after the premiere of season 34, Arnold, 31, who last competed on the show in season 30, took to TikTok to defend the current pros and celebrity contestants.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Leading by 7, Kansas City faced a third-and-10 late that presented a tricky situation, given Butker’s struggles this season.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The hospital did not face financial penalties after the incident and has not violated EMTALA since, according to federal inspection records.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While cutting back on spending is a great way to save money, using the right credit card for your purchases can also help combat higher expenses.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Some celebrations have been slimmed down or even canceled this year amid fears over immigration raids and efforts to combat diversity, equity and inclusion.—
Maria Gracia Santillana Linares,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Republicans, who say school security and improving mental health services are the best way to avoid future tragedies, have firmly opposed any new gun control measures.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
20 Sep. 2025
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Some residents criticized Touchstone, Vice Mayor Joy Smith and Eveillard, who formed a three-person majority on the five-seat board, for supporting a $30,000 raise for themselves while opposing an up-to 5% raise for city staff based on cost of living and merit.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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