battle/clash of wills
noun phrase
: a contest in which each side is determined to get what it wants and neither side seems willing to yield or compromise
He won the battle/clash of wills with his wife.
Examples of battle/clash of wills in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But oftentimes these rematches come down to a battle of wills and Van Lith is confident TCU will be ready.
—
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2025
By staying out, the president could expect to be blamed not only for permitting the economic meltdown that China’s invasion would trigger but also for losing Taiwan after a decades-long battle of wills between Washington and Beijing over the island’s future.
—Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
These games are always a battle of wills, particularly the ones at Goodison.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Yet that battle of wills concluded with a thrilling forehand winner from Keys—who instantly burst into tears.
—Vogue, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle/clash of wills
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2025
By staying out, the president could expect to be blamed not only for permitting the economic meltdown that China’s invasion would trigger but also for losing Taiwan after a decades-long battle of wills between Washington and Beijing over the island’s future.
—Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
These games are always a battle of wills, particularly the ones at Goodison.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Yet that battle of wills concluded with a thrilling forehand winner from Keys—who instantly burst into tears.
—Vogue, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle/clash of wills
Cite this Entry
“Battle/clash of wills.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battle%2Fclash%20of%20wills. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share