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
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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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of battle
Alan Feuer, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Yarrow died at his home in New York City after a four-year battle with bladder cancer, his publicist Ken Sunshine told USA TODAY.
—Anika Reed, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
As fire crews battle major blazes in the Los Angeles area, Northern California remains largely free of wildfire risk thanks to a stark contrast in weather patterns.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for battle 
Noun
The battle over the report had been building since Mr. Trump was re-elected in November.
—Alan Feuer, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Yarrow died at his home in New York City after a four-year battle with bladder cancer, his publicist Ken Sunshine told USA TODAY.
—Anika Reed, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
As fire crews battle major blazes in the Los Angeles area, Northern California remains largely free of wildfire risk thanks to a stark contrast in weather patterns.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
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A number of employees also left Automattic last year after the company offered to buy out staff who didn’t agree with its fight against WP Engine.Emma Roth, The Verge, 10 Jan. 2025
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The Fed dialed back its fight against inflation over the final months of last year, lowering interest rates by a percentage point.Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The ugly scene on a suburban street was a harbinger of skirmishes to come.Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
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Houston teammates then ran in to defend their teammate, as well, leading to a skirmish that spilled out of bounds while Lawrence remained on the turf, still on his back, as medical personnel tended to him.Andrew Greif, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024
Noun
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As a result, Castroneves must either post an impressive qualifying time or clinch a transfer position for one of the four open spots in the 40-car field.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
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Whether Brown’s advantages of having been in the building will outweigh the record on the field and the organization’s possible desire to start over is up to management.Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The rivalry between Clark and Angel Reese became one of the hottest in sports after their meeting in the 2023 NCAA women's basketball championship game, when Reese's LSU Tigers defeated Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes.Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025
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During his visit, Boric reaffirmed Chile's commitment to the treaty, emphasizing that its provisions safeguard Antarctica from geopolitical rivalries.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Croatian star Donna Vekic, for instance, is competing in Australia without her coach Pam Shriver, who is back in LA supporting her family.Ben Church, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
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Messi will also compete for other domestic cups and hopefully steer clear of injuries like those that hampered him at stages last year.Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Swiss company’s share price has faced a volatile ride over the past year amid a rejig of its top management and wider fluctuations in the luxury market.Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025
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Bondi has also faced scrutiny for her previous lobbying work with Ballard Partners, including for clients such as Republic Services, Amazon and Uber, which have been in the crosshairs of the Justice Department.Taylor Giorno, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Globally, congestion pricing aligns with broader efforts to combat climate change and achieve net-zero emissions.Regina Clewlow, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
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Having that clearer picture of the role genes play can also help researchers develop more effective drug treatments – which includes repurposing existing medications, such as those used to combat chronic pain and narcolepsy.New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the 1920s, for instance, the United States opposed German and Japanese expansion but outsourced enforcement to treaties such as the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which outlawed war, and the League of Nations, which Washington then refused to join.Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
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Those opposed to these ideas say that young people really didn't vote for Trump because of these innovations.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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