1
as in fights
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 skirmishes
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 actions
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 rivalries
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in combats
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in opposes
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of battles
CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Soon the scene devolved into individual battles between officers and rioters.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Great game from veteran right guard Mike Onwenu, who allowed one pressure but otherwise won most of his run-blocking battles and helped create a few wide rushing lanes inside.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Final roster battles could be won Marsch likely wants his World Cup squad set for the March international window.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal face off in a story that mirrors political divides familiar to Texans, from conspiracy culture to battles over development and power.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
And after recent battles with hurricanes, the city has made a strong comeback, celebrating several historic milestones in 2026.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
The facility, which is surrounded by the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve, also has led to separate legal battles in federal court.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
The deal was completed as the Bay Area hotel market battles against a wave of loan defaults, plunging prices and property foreclosures that have stifled purchasing activity and new development.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026
Dan Duggan, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Dallasta, 43, battles anxiety, which has worsened with Vesiolko's detention.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
Gayheart previously opened up about what co-parenting looks like as Dane battles the progressive neurodegenerative disease.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025
That's because the miniature SKL shelter doesn't have a shred of tent canvas, relying instead on aircraft-grade aluminum to create a fast-pitching cabin that battles winter with an uprated insulation package.
—New Atlas, 24 Nov. 2025
On the upcoming episode of Raw, NXT star Je'Von Evans faces Gunther, and Solo Sikoa battles a mystery opponent.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025
But soon, an intruder introduces both suspicion and hope for connection, as loneliness battles with the fear that something considerably larger than a virus is hiding in the dark.
—Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Brian Schottenheimer battles through injuries Heading into the game against the Jets, Schottenheimer’s offensive line was wrecked by injury.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
Disagreements among Democrats have emerged over how to conduct political messaging on the government shutdown as the party battles with the GOP over whom the public should blame for the impasse.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
The facility, which is surrounded by the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve, also has led to separate legal battles in federal court.
—Verb
Chris Mara’s involvement in personnel decisions has been reduced in recent years, but his role as an owner is expected to grow as John Mara battles cancer.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
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According to reports, there were fights in the snake-like queue that formed.—
-
Town budgets, school boards, zoning fights, shoreline resilience — these are problems that punish purity.—
Noun
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Hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced from their homes in both countries when border skirmishes broke out for the second time this year.—
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For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-kilometer (508-mile) land border – a dispute that has occasionally exploded into skirmishes and fighting.—
Noun
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Though Andrea — initially convicted of capital murder — was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a mental health facility, debate over what drove her actions continues to this day.—
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Reducing exposure can involve actions such as sealing cracks in basement floors or foundations, and installing ventilation systems designed to lower radon levels.—
Noun
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Anyone who has followed the devastating violence in California’s prisons knows that gang rivalries trigger a lot of the bloodshed.—
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With the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers set to face off in Saturday nights' playoff game, some local couples are hoping love can overcome even the biggest of rivalries.—
Verb
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Cherry’s older brother, Taeshon, played collegiately and competes professionally overseas.—
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Sook also argued broadcast stations will continue to dominate political advertising sales, but faces stepped up competition from streaming services, where Nexstar competes with its NewsNation live TV streamer.—
Verb
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Still, the company faces the same existential headwinds that have scared other would-be moguls away from the news business.—
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At Barton Creek Technologies, Anna Chen, the chief human resources officer, faces a dilemma over the company’s performance improvement plan (PIP).—
Verb
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The Last Gift Study, launched in 2017, combats that issue by conducting an autopsy immediately after a patient’s death.—
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Fit was prioritized on the upper, which combats wrinkles at the toe box and hosts a better lacing system and a new heel sling.—
Verb
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Roarke LaCoursiere, with the Indiana Catholic Conference, said the organization opposes the bill because while its members stand with the victims and their families, the death penalty doesn’t bring about justice.—
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The governor rightly opposes raising nation-leading personal income taxes but may be cracking open the door to raising business or other taxes to respond to federal cuts.—
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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