1
as in competed
to engage in a contest
the two teams, which have long been archrivals, will battle on the court for the state championship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in fought
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 opposed
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 battled
The senior running back has battled injuries throughout much of spring camp.
—
Gabriel Duarte, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Taylor battled substance abuse issues after leaving the NFL.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Sheets battled many major health issues, including back-to-back heart attacks in 2019.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 23 Apr. 2026
Captain Radko Gudas, who battled injuries for much of the season and down the stretch, was unable to go in Game 2.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
The fire forced Shapiro, his wife, children and members of his extended family to flee, as firefighters battled the blaze.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Sure, there were some notable names that the Volunteers battled.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
Connecticut has a history of brush fires, including the 2024 Hawthorne Fire in Berlin, that took the life of a Wethersfield volunteer firefighter after he was killed when his utility task vehicle rolled over as emergency crews battled the historic blaze.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
The countries that qualified include several that have battled openly — and in some cases literally — with Israel, such as Iran, Turkey and South Africa.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Gabriel Duarte, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Taylor battled substance abuse issues after leaving the NFL.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
Sheets battled many major health issues, including back-to-back heart attacks in 2019.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 23 Apr. 2026
Captain Radko Gudas, who battled injuries for much of the season and down the stretch, was unable to go in Game 2.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
The fire forced Shapiro, his wife, children and members of his extended family to flee, as firefighters battled the blaze.
—CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Sure, there were some notable names that the Volunteers battled.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
Connecticut has a history of brush fires, including the 2024 Hawthorne Fire in Berlin, that took the life of a Wethersfield volunteer firefighter after he was killed when his utility task vehicle rolled over as emergency crews battled the historic blaze.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
The countries that qualified include several that have battled openly — and in some cases literally — with Israel, such as Iran, Turkey and South Africa.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battled
Verb
-
Sojic has also competed in multiple FIBA competitions with Serbia.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Hudson previously won a Division 4 NCA Collegiate Championship with Bridgewater State in 2021, and in recent years she's also competed in Miss Maine USA pageants, placing second at the 2024 event and coming in third place in 2025.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
We are faced with a vastly more consequential version of a Catch-22.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
However — and this is significant — Buffett faced some years with huge losses.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The war with Iran is now the second major conflict to demonstrate that the age of mass drone warfare has fully arrived — and with it, a fundamental shift in how conflicts are fought.—
Alexander Benard,
Washington Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Over 40 Illinois municipalities have since adopted these harmful policies, while many simultaneously fought to prevent social service providers from helping people survive and transition out of homelessness.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reggie Miller was opposed, but Kyle Korver and Larry Bird were open to it.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Democrats have opposed the president’s efforts but long ago sacrificed the moral high ground.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The company's lawyers have contended that the Oklahoma case in which Drummond intervened is a private dispute that doesn't involve government officials or public funds.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
-
And in an effort to rebut claims that Comey was being selectively prosecuted, Blanche contended the case against the former FBI director was similar to other threats cases the department routinely brings against the lesser known.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This longing for a more tangible experience reflects the broader nostalgia that has shaped Gen Z’s coming of age—nostalgia for a past that many did not experience firsthand, but instead encountered through images.—
Jalil Johnson,
Vogue,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Less than an hour later, Hall-Bennetts encountered Patton during a safety check.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the midst of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, TNG also combated racial discrimination in the news industry in hiring and promotion.—
Errol Salamon,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Catholic and Lutheran churches and mutual benefit societies preserved cultural heritage, combated isolation and shaped the new state’s religious culture for generations.—
Daniel Cueto-Villalobos,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Their fans will have cast a nervous glance at the goal difference column after City raced into the lead at Turf Moor through Erling Haaland after five minutes.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Marlins raced out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to Xavier Edwards’ RBI double and Liam Hicks’ two-run homer, an impressive drive that cut through a cold San Francisco night.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battled. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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