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
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Recent Examples of battle
Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Camp time culminates in a team competition, where groups face off in a head-to-head series of tug-of-war battles, relays and other physical challenges — all in a quest for ultimate bragging rights.
—Robin Roenker, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026
While supporting a partner battling a chronic illness is not easy, there is joy.
—Christina Frazier, Health, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
In the time since the movie premiered last year, Peet saw both her parents go through hospice care before dying and had her own battle with breast cancer.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Camp time culminates in a team competition, where groups face off in a head-to-head series of tug-of-war battles, relays and other physical challenges — all in a quest for ultimate bragging rights.
—Robin Roenker, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
After Alvarado got a fly out to right, Baldwin stepped in and battled for 10 pitches before crushing a two-run double into the gap in right.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026
While supporting a partner battling a chronic illness is not easy, there is joy.
—Christina Frazier, Health, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
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The confrontation, which led to multiple 911 calls reporting a fight involving a firearm, resulted in the arrest of Ahmad Zeeshan.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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The United States Powered Paragliding Association and Experimental Aircraft Association have written letters supporting the ultralight pilots in their fight against the county airport, as cited in the documents under review for the FAA’s upcoming decision.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And the Pakistani military has been engaged in cross-border skirmishes with the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan for months.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
-
With billions of dollars at stake, the conflicts manifest in sharp skirmishes in the Legislature, in courts and in the ballot measure arena.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There are a number of other guys that are leaders on the field that could have equally served in that opportunity.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 2026
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That’s because, self-admittedly after the game, Inter Miami’s team itself did not match the intensity of its new home on the field enough during a disappointing 2-2 draw against Austin.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma’s coaching rivalry has had something for everyone on and off the court.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
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But there were also rivalries — and who got to control a bigger share of the work was hotly contested.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the market for preterm nutrition, Abbott and Mead Johnson compete with each other, not against the use of human milk, the companies told KFF Health News.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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Any organization with 50 or more employees in the state is eligible to compete for a Top Workplaces award.—
Bob Helbig,
Freep.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Zeeshan later appeared in bond court facing a charge of assault with religious prejudice.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The Phillies clobbered Colorado 10-1 on a windy Friday afternoon in LoDo that featured the return of wintry weather and a reminder of the challenge facing an organization that lost 119 games last season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
California attorney general's action to combat hospice fraud State Attorney General Rob Bonta says his office has brought criminal fraud cases against more than 100 defendants in the hospice industry and has filed about two dozen civil cases.—
Adam Yamaguchi,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Oz, who earlier this year was criticized after posting a video accusing Armenian crime groups of carrying out widespread fraud, continued Thursday to accuse California and Los Angeles officials of not doing enough to combat fraud.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Luscious Venus in your 5th House of Originality squares Pluto in your 2nd House of Resources, so projects and budgets will potentially tug your soul in opposing directions.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Polling released March 19 shows nearly two-thirds of Americans believe Trump will deploy troops into Iran, even though more than half of them opposed the move.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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