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
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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
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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
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1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
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4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of battle
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 24 June 2025
In a dystopian world divided by war, two rival sides battle for control.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 June 2025
Matt O'Brien, Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2025
Between battling global emergencies involving nuclear weapons, Greta and Luke discuss the perils of aging.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
The filing comes as part of Musk’s broader legal battle accusing OpenAI and Sam Altman of straying from their nonprofit roots.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 24 June 2025
In a dystopian world divided by war, two rival sides battle for control.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
Cracking open the vaults to centuries-old tomes could be a data bonanza for tech companies battling lawsuits from living novelists, visual artists, and others whose creative works have been scooped up without their consent to train AI chatbots.
—Matt O'Brien, Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2025
Between battling global emergencies involving nuclear weapons, Greta and Luke discuss the perils of aging.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
With the game being nationally televised on CBS, clips of the fight went viral.—
Jeff Fedotin,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Noun
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One skirmish involved the arrest of a union leader, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union of California, who said he was injured and detained by ICE.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
9 June 2025
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Alongside Israeli military drills, stalled diplomatic talks, and proxy skirmishes, these hostile warnings signal a dangerous escalation.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
If gravity interacts with the Higgs field under these conditions, this interaction could change how gravity behaves.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
24 June 2025
-
In addition to the Vienna field study, the company offers courses to professional and civic leaders on housing policy and homelessness.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The rivalry between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr has spilled into a war of words in recent years, roughly dating back to when the former claimed to have been under the weather during the 2023 world championships.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Right now, governments and organizations are developing competing standards and platforms, and without alignment, fragmentation could slow progress.—
Steven Smith,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
Diogo Jota’s minutes would take a hit should Wirtz cement his place there, while Diaz would return to primarily competing for the starting left wing role with Cody Gakpo.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Denmark face France and Germany play Italy in the remaining two other quarter-finals on Sunday.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
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Limited to only 60-70 pitches, the 24-year-old Tidwell threw 74 of them, with Mendoza wanting left-hander Jose Castillo to face No. 9 hitter Brandon Marsh, another lefty.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
Eight engines, four water tenders, two helicopters, two dozers and two hand crews have been combating the blaze.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2025
-
The Special Investigations Division’s Child Exploitation Prevention Unit conducted an undercover operation to combat online child exploitation, Boisvert said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
Adding this kind of power alongside Aaron Judge would create nightmares for opposing pitchers.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
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Within the classroom, the Trump policy has meant opposing curriculum that allows for more than a binary — male or female — expression of gender.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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