as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the playful competition over who would get the new office turned into a real dogfight
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Recent Examples of dogfight
About 48 people have been killed since Wednesday, and the two countries also engaged in one of the largest aerial dogfights since World War II involving 125 fighter jets on Thursday.
—
Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
Some 125 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets battled for over an hour in one of the biggest dogfights in recent history, according to a Pakistani security source quoted by CNN.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
New York was able to capitalize and win, 123-112, to open up what looks to be a dogfight against Detroit.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Pakistan scrambled fighter jets, and the two air forces engaged in a dogfight before the crisis ended.
—Michael Kugelman, Time, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2025
Some 125 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets battled for over an hour in one of the biggest dogfights in recent history, according to a Pakistani security source quoted by CNN.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
New York was able to capitalize and win, 123-112, to open up what looks to be a dogfight against Detroit.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Pakistan scrambled fighter jets, and the two air forces engaged in a dogfight before the crisis ended.
—Michael Kugelman, Time, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogfight
Noun
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Rivals follows the rivalry between an old money MP, Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Tony, Lord Baddingham (David Tennant), who clash over control of a fictional independent TV station in the 1980s.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
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According to a report from TMZ Sports, the on-screen rivalry has become deeply personal.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Noun
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The two journalists paid tribute to the late MTV VJ, who died Wednesday following a prolonged battle with breast cancer, during a CNN segment on Thursday.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
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Some media companies are fighting legal battles with AI startups for copyright infringement, arguing that the infiltration of click-free answers is a serious threat to what has become a modern business model for journalism.—
Alexandra York,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Above, a curious duel unfolded: a seagull clashing mid-air with a hovering drone.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, but Ureña won a nine-pitch duel with Jeff McNeil, striking out the second baseman with a 97-mph sinker, and Smith picked off Marte at third to complete a rare home-to-third, strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Both vodkas have consistently earned medals in international spirit competitions.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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The fellowship already has a partnership with the Austin Film Festival’s script competition.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Across the border from Kursk, in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, Ukrainian soldiers who battled those soldiers described how the North Koreans went from suffering massive losses to learning electronic warfare.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
16 June 2025
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Radical, often foreign jihadists still make up a significant portion of the armed forces, ISIS is resurgent, former Assad loyalists remain dissatisfied, the economy is nonexistent from 13 years of warfare, and countless sectarian divisions threaten to rupture at any moment.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2025
Noun
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Consumers are putting values first — even at a time of economic struggle.—
Alexandra Pastore,
Footwear News,
17 June 2025
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Burroughs allegedly then took off on foot and was apprehended following a brief foot chase and a struggle, Allard said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2025
Noun
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The hotel, owned by his father in its heyday, has acutely felt Lebanon’s ups and downs over the decades, closing and reopening multiple times because of wars.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
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Federal and state law enforcement agencies and the Department of Homeland Security have repeatedly issued bulletins, warning the country is vulnerable to terrorism, especially at large events, as a result of the Gaza war.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
8 June 2025
Noun
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The escalating rhetoric signals the deepening rift between Tehran and Washington, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation that could draw in U.S. forces and further destabilize the Middle East.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
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In the No Kings protests, many of the episodes of confrontation between journalists and law enforcement have played out in real time on cable television or social media.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogfight. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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