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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dogfight
This is a season of TV full of adventure, lightsaber fights, and space dogfights, but also a season that brings back a childlike sense of wonder and humor to a franchise that had become a bit too somber.
—
Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2025
It is normally carried by jet fighters for dogfights, with a range of around 20 miles.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
This isn't always a bad thing; one pilot's instability is often another's idea of extreme agility, and in the era of the dogfight, the ability to turn on a dime was such an enormous advantage that some of the best aircraft were notoriously touchy at the stick.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 1 Dec. 2024
The Knicks concluded their four-game, eight-day swing with a trip to Atlanta to face the Hawks, and after winning in Miami and Detroit, then losing in Houston, the Knicks found themselves in a dogfight on Wednesday.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2025
It is normally carried by jet fighters for dogfights, with a range of around 20 miles.
—David Hambling, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
This isn't always a bad thing; one pilot's instability is often another's idea of extreme agility, and in the era of the dogfight, the ability to turn on a dime was such an enormous advantage that some of the best aircraft were notoriously touchy at the stick.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 1 Dec. 2024
The Knicks concluded their four-game, eight-day swing with a trip to Atlanta to face the Hawks, and after winning in Miami and Detroit, then losing in Houston, the Knicks found themselves in a dogfight on Wednesday.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogfight
Noun
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After the goalless draw in one of soccer’s fiercest rivalries, the Portuguese manager was yet again outspoken in his press conference.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
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The rivalry between the two legends, both on and off the course, is well known.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Even if the odds of us winning the title are now vanishingly small, giving up now could put us at risk of getting dragged into a top 4 battle.—
James McNicholas,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
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The movie, aka Episode III, takes place years after the onset of the Clone Wars, when the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Michelle Cooper, 22, winger (Kansas City Current) Another USWNT rookie, Cooper showed her ability to defend along the front line last season, ranking ninth among wingers and attacking midfielders by winning 50.3% of her duels.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
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California’s Capitol has seen countless conflicts between economic interests, but few match the intensity of a duel between the fast food industry and labor unions that seemingly ended two years ago with compromise legislation raising the minimum wage to $20.—
Dan Walters,
Orange County Register,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Sunday’s performance will kick off with Anthony, and will be followed by a set from Venezuelan comedian George Harris, the song competition, and Bacilos as the grand finale.—
Leila Cobo,
Billboard,
23 Feb. 2025
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Tune in on Sunday to see which team will get the victory in this 2025 ICC Champions Trophy competition.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Considered an unsung hero of modern warfare, Selanee saved the lives of two U.S. journalists and shielded hundreds of Afghans stranded at Kandahar Air Base.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2025
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What To Know There have been tensions over NATO accusing Russia of sabotaging vessels in the Baltic Sea and claims of hybrid warfare around what is dubbed the NATO Lake as the alliance's members move to combat Moscow's belligerence in the region.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The rampant bird flu's effect on egg prices, her own gout struggle and microplastics.—
Lindsay Kimble,
People.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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Volpe immersed herself in research before making the film, accompanying nurses on hospital shifts to understand their daily struggles.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As of January 9, more than 45,000 Palestinians had been killed during the war, according to the health ministry in Gaza.—
Beren Cross,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
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In the middle is Rubio, who has sought to stay aligned with the president, even as he’s previously laid the blame for the war at Putin’s feet.—
David Catanese,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Her fights are not just physical confrontations but manifestations of the battles within her.—
Kevin Cassidy,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
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The gunman later died after a confrontation and shootout with police.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogfight. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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