1
as in fights
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 skirmishes
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 actions
active fighting during the course of a war
soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in combats
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in opposes
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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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of battles
ABC News,
3 July 2026
Legal battles can discourage farmers Mora said the years-long litigation has left him feeling frustrated and defenseless.
—
Claire Rush,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
The movie serves both as a farewell to the franchise, and a reminder of how years of addiction, feuds and legal battles pushed Margera — who had second-billing for the first three films — to the sidelines.
—
Mattha Busby,
Rolling Stone,
3 July 2026
Here’s a look at the 10 best training camp battles expected to take place if health isn’t a factor.
—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
As these battles continue, the current footprint of AI on textile and apparel sourcing continues to grow and evolve.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
These battles have completely receded from the American imagination, even though, in some ways, the American rebellion was a sideshow to a far greater imperial drama.
—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
2 July 2026
As one executive put it, teams have to pick their roster battles and try to stay covered at the higher affiliates.
—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
Informal Beyblade battles are popping up in strangest of places, with players huddling in parks, gyms and shopping malls.
—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Around 15 years later, Flay came to Nurdjaja and asked her to join Bobby's Triple Threat, in which a competitor battles three titans, including Flay's girlfriend Brooke Williamson and Michael Voltaggio, for a $25,000 prize.
—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Starter Eric Lauer battles erratic fastball command and early damage yet completes six innings, while the Rays’ Nick Martinez matches him before a bullpen misstep to Rojas decides a tight opener.
—
Liana Handler
follow,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Right Now As the country battles a deadly second wave, international donations are helping local communities access essential items.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
Both wholesome kids get caught in the crossfire when He-Man battles Skeletor’s army of Darth Vader lookalikes in — where else?
—
Jeffrey Ressner,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
She is left to care for her partner’s elderly mom who battles Parkinson’s and dementia.
—
Idaho Statesman,
28 May 2026
An introverted young boxer with incredible ability and skill who battles to overcome low confidence, high anxiety and stage fright in pursuit of her potential.
—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
Besting its record from a season ago will be a win for Las Vegas, while the rest of the group battles up top.
—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Noun
On Friday, Putin visited the Russian military headquarters directing the action in Ukraine to receive a report on the capture of the city of Kostyantynivka after weeks of intense street battles.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
Legal battles can discourage farmers Mora said the years-long litigation has left him feeling frustrated and defenseless.
—
Claire Rush,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
The movie serves both as a farewell to the franchise, and a reminder of how years of addiction, feuds and legal battles pushed Margera — who had second-billing for the first three films — to the sidelines.
—
Mattha Busby,
Rolling Stone,
3 July 2026
Here’s a look at the 10 best training camp battles expected to take place if health isn’t a factor.
—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
As these battles continue, the current footprint of AI on textile and apparel sourcing continues to grow and evolve.
—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
These battles have completely receded from the American imagination, even though, in some ways, the American rebellion was a sideshow to a far greater imperial drama.
—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
2 July 2026
As one executive put it, teams have to pick their roster battles and try to stay covered at the higher affiliates.
—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
Informal Beyblade battles are popping up in strangest of places, with players huddling in parks, gyms and shopping malls.
—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Verb
If Wagner misses time again, if Suggs battles injuries again or if the roster isn’t completely healthy in April, expectations aren’t going anywhere.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Around 15 years later, Flay came to Nurdjaja and asked her to join Bobby's Triple Threat, in which a competitor battles three titans, including Flay's girlfriend Brooke Williamson and Michael Voltaggio, for a $25,000 prize.
—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Starter Eric Lauer battles erratic fastball command and early damage yet completes six innings, while the Rays’ Nick Martinez matches him before a bullpen misstep to Rojas decides a tight opener.
—
Liana Handler
follow,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Right Now As the country battles a deadly second wave, international donations are helping local communities access essential items.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
Both wholesome kids get caught in the crossfire when He-Man battles Skeletor’s army of Darth Vader lookalikes in — where else?
—
Jeffrey Ressner,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
She is left to care for her partner’s elderly mom who battles Parkinson’s and dementia.
—
Idaho Statesman,
28 May 2026
An introverted young boxer with incredible ability and skill who battles to overcome low confidence, high anxiety and stage fright in pursuit of her potential.
—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
Besting its record from a season ago will be a win for Las Vegas, while the rest of the group battles up top.
—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
Skoog said he was honored to receive Sayers’ endorsement, saying mayors are focused on delivering results rather than engaging in political fights.
-
For five months, sentiment ran consistently negative, dragged down by trade disputes, NATO burden-sharing fights and the general friction between Washington and European capitals.
Noun
-
Johnson brushes off the skirmishes, broadly speaking, as part of the governing process.
-
While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
Noun
-
Her death sparked weeks of protests nationwide, calling for an end to an increase in immigration enforcement actions.
-
Knowing Brady and Sullivan have gone after so many years of us trying to get them out is great, but Daniel Kretinsky needs to put actions into words to keep our trust.
Noun
-
At a time when the news cycle seems to serve up nothing but conflict, crisis and woe, the World Cup offers shelter, a truly international event in which conflict is defined by long-term sports rivalries and questionable referee decisions.
-
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly looking to pair James with Stephen Curry, which would turn one of the NBA's greatest rivalries into two of the game's greatest stars fighting for their fifth title together.
Verb
-
According to Reuters, Gakpo was given time off to spend with his family, who are staying near the team base in Kansas City as the Netherlands competes in the World Cup.
-
With a 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame, Palmquest also competes in shot put and threw 46 1/2 feet as a sophomore, taking first in Aledo’s district meet.
Verb
-
On Monday, McFarlane and two friends were outside the fencing, leaning against the metal barriers in front of the Department of Agriculture, which faces the National Mall.
-
Look at the racial hostility that Caitlin Clark faces from Black players and media members on a nightly basis.
Verb
-
LilyAna’s version is also packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for deep penetrating hydration that combats any of the infamous drying side effects associated with the ingredient.
-
Saturday’s blaze comes as the city combats a massive increase in fatal fires this year.
Verb
-
The workers' group opposes Ryder's Law, which will sever the main income source for many of the heavily immigrant owners and drivers.
-
Your voice is not wasted, and vote-splitting cannot hand the seat to a candidate the majority opposes.
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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