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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to fight
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 to oppose
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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Recent Examples of battle
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
Instead, Levine’s intervention has opened an entirely new battle — one focused not on the next president but on who holds power at the university itself.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 17 June 2026
The Royals battled back in the seventh inning.
—Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
Assuming the ceasefire holds, the more consequential battle is whether the Islamic Republic’s leaders can translate that defiance into sanctions relief, economic revival and enough public support to secure the regime’s future.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 June 2026
Instead, Levine’s intervention has opened an entirely new battle — one focused not on the next president but on who holds power at the university itself.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
Verb
While World Cup fans have been battling the Texas heat, flooding is now becoming a concern.
—Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 17 June 2026
The Royals battled back in the seventh inning.
—Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
Most baseball fights produce a little shoving, occasional hugging, some dancing and pulled powderpuff punches.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
Coming just three days after launch, and after tech leaders and social media influencers showcased Fable’s leap in performance over earlier models, the sudden block has become a larger fight over who decides when an AI system is too powerful for open access.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.—
,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
-
One of those skirmishes, in fact, involved Childress himself, in 2011 at Kansas Speedway, when the then-65-year-old car owner for an opposing team got into a physical altercation with Busch after an on-track incident.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
At every World Cup game, children between the ages of 6 and 10 will escort players onto the field before kickoff.—
Chelsea Torres,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
In 2013, off-the-field issues began to affect his on-field availability.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
But when rivalry between sororities escalates and a body is found, ambition, loyalty, and sisterhood collide with deadly consequences.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
The oldest rivalry in the NFL doesn’t include a team from Green Bay.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Greene argues that books are increasingly competing against entertainment options that didn’t exist in previous generations.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
But in a city that has to compete nationally with New York, Washington and Los Angeles for young talent, that advance from being merely a regional capital meant something here.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Negotiators face a 60-day deadline to reach a final deal.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
Calmus knows firsthand what NICU families face.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Medical experts and substance abuse prevention advocates say the vaccine could eventually become another tool to help combat a crisis that continues to claim tens of thousands of lives each year.—
Gino Vicci,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
To combat this, be sure to properly wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf at night to help your style last as long as possible.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Earlier Thursday, Vice President JD Vance slammed critics in Israel after a report that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top Israeli officials strongly oppose the agreement.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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Business executives have already poured millions of dollars into groups that oppose the billionaire tax or are promoting alternative solutions to wealth inequality.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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