1
as in battled
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
a proud people who have fiercely fought all invaders of their homeland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposed
to strive to reduce or eliminate
a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting prejudice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in competed
to engage in a contest
everyone on that street seems to be fighting to see who can create the gaudiest holiday lighting display
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in bickered
to express different opinions about something often angrily
if you kids continue to fight, I'm turning this car around and we're heading back home!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in resisted
to refuse to give in to
I tried to fight the temptation to eat another cookie—and lost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fought
Last year, the budget process went into overtime as the two chambers fought over sales taxes and clashed with DeSantis.
—
Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
For the next three years, American forces—including approximately 10,000 American Indian soldiers—along with troops from 15 other nations, fought to prevent a Communist takeover.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
But its reputation within GOP circles has taken a hit in recent years, driven in part by wealthy trial attorneys (yes, like the ones on billboards promising huge payouts after car wrecks) who are on the other side of those consumer lawsuits TLR has fought so hard to block.
—Bayliss Wagner, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2026
Kan News, Israel's public broadcaster, reported last month that government investigators were examining Polymarket bets on an Israeli strike on Iran in June 2025, when the countries fought a 12-day war.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 12 Feb. 2026
His father, Jerry, had escaped slavery and fought in the Union army in the Civil War.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Knowing his family fought without end for his release.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Afterward, the pair fought over projects.
—Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Crews fought the fire from outside the building after a tanker force responded to the scene.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
For the next three years, American forces—including approximately 10,000 American Indian soldiers—along with troops from 15 other nations, fought to prevent a Communist takeover.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
But its reputation within GOP circles has taken a hit in recent years, driven in part by wealthy trial attorneys (yes, like the ones on billboards promising huge payouts after car wrecks) who are on the other side of those consumer lawsuits TLR has fought so hard to block.
—Bayliss Wagner, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2026
Kan News, Israel's public broadcaster, reported last month that government investigators were examining Polymarket bets on an Israeli strike on Iran in June 2025, when the countries fought a 12-day war.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 12 Feb. 2026
His father, Jerry, had escaped slavery and fought in the Union army in the Civil War.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Knowing his family fought without end for his release.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Afterward, the pair fought over projects.
—Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Crews fought the fire from outside the building after a tanker force responded to the scene.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fought
Verb
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Following services, the remaining king cakes were taken to the local firehouse and shared with the first responders who battled the fire.—
Lindsay Baach Friedmann,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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That's where the Jalisco Cartel New Generation has battled disparate armed criminal groups for control of smuggling routes.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the past, New Delhi had opposed tariffs on sectors such as agriculture and dairy, which employ the bulk of the country's population.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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While more than 135 letters from our community, including from Governor Polis and the Colorado State Patrol, opposed her release, the closure of this referral is not a result of this overwhelming community response.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Women have never competed in Nordic combined at the Olympics.—
Rebecca Tauber,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Hayden, meanwhile, has competed well throughout her rookie season.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The actors jokingly bickered about their history with the ceremony, with Cheadle remarking that Clooney hadn’t won since 2026 winner Timothée Chalamet was 3 years old.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Jan. 2026
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On 33 occasions since 2017, Congress has been forced to pass emergency extensions to the flood insurance program, as lawmakers bickered over budgets and looming shutdowns threatened to disrupt it, according to a letter the National Association of Realtors sent to Congress ahead of the shutdown.—
Rukmini Callimachi,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rather than mimicking human movement for its own sake, Atlas prioritizes efficiency, balance, and perception, aiming to solve industrial tasks that have historically resisted automation.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
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Jes Staley, a high-ranking executive who was Epstein’s primary contact, was among those who resisted cutting ties.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This phrase was born on social media and its effects can be combatted with intervention from parents.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
20 Dec. 2025
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Pureval countered that the city leadership combatted crime through numerous measures, including implementing a stricter curfew and recruiting more officers.—
Scott Wartman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But multiple former offensive linemen contended Campbell’s Super Bowl struggles were not due to his arms.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Defense lawyers Brian Klein and Axel contended in court filings that Puig, who is from Cuba, was confused because of his language barrier and a dual diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Critics argued that the hotel industry was already faced with the minimum wage changes and low demand, and increasing taxes by any amount could send tourists to competing hotels in nearby cities.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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In a 2014 editorial, the Times argued the federal ban on the drug should be repealed, and the decision should be left up to the individual states.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fought. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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