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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Look no further than the Big Ten to see how those battles are becoming a thing of the past.
—Eric Olson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
As Maryland’s 2026 legislative session closed last week, much attention was focused on redistricting battles that drew national scrutiny.
—Nicole D. Porter, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Given hindsight and an ice pack, a 4-0 series sweep turned into a nice, physical tune-up for the battles to come.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026
All three are relentless in puck battles, and Östlund adds just enough playmaking to complement Benson and Doan, both of whom love getting to the front of the net.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The Nuggets can’t grab critical rebounds in battles that are routinely boiling down to Nikola Jokic versus three or four Wolves.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Passages range from the creation of the world to bloody battles and apocalyptic destruction, from exhortations to love of God, neighbor and the needy to passages telling of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
As Halsey battles addiction and Luke confronts his own darkness, their growing feelings force them to question if love is worth the risk.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
The three-match tournament ends with rivalry matchups next Friday in Chicago, when USA faces Canada and Australia battles New Zealand.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2026
Yet, the country battles high levels of poverty and hunger among its citizens.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Barred from his high school basketball team due to his temper, a hot-head, street-baller battles demons from his past and present to earn a spot on a summer league team and his last shot at a college basketball scholarship.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Beth, who is voiced by Sarah Chalke, asks dad Rick (Ian Cardoni) in the footage as the family battles a beast comprised of couch cushions.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Despite its decades-long transformation into a thriving hub for robotics, health care and higher education, Pittsburgh continually battles to shake off its 20th-century Rust Belt reputation in the national consciousness.
—Tim Derdenger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
The series ran from 1993 to 2001 and followed Ranger Cordell Walker, a Texas lawman who battles crime with a black belt and strong personal code.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
That means the knock-down, drag-out government shutdown battles that have become a Washington ritual are, in effect, a fight over a little more than a quarter of the federal ledger.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
Look no further than the Big Ten to see how those battles are becoming a thing of the past.
—Eric Olson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
As Maryland’s 2026 legislative session closed last week, much attention was focused on redistricting battles that drew national scrutiny.
—Nicole D. Porter, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Given hindsight and an ice pack, a 4-0 series sweep turned into a nice, physical tune-up for the battles to come.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026
All three are relentless in puck battles, and Östlund adds just enough playmaking to complement Benson and Doan, both of whom love getting to the front of the net.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The Nuggets can’t grab critical rebounds in battles that are routinely boiling down to Nikola Jokic versus three or four Wolves.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Passages range from the creation of the world to bloody battles and apocalyptic destruction, from exhortations to love of God, neighbor and the needy to passages telling of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Despite being projected to be the first overall pick, Mendoza skipped the in-person draft in Pittsburgh to stay in Florida with his mother, who battles multiple sclerosis (MS) and is bound to a wheelchair.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
As Halsey battles addiction and Luke confronts his own darkness, their growing feelings force them to question if love is worth the risk.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
The three-match tournament ends with rivalry matchups next Friday in Chicago, when USA faces Canada and Australia battles New Zealand.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2026
Yet, the country battles high levels of poverty and hunger among its citizens.
—ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Barred from his high school basketball team due to his temper, a hot-head, street-baller battles demons from his past and present to earn a spot on a summer league team and his last shot at a college basketball scholarship.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Beth, who is voiced by Sarah Chalke, asks dad Rick (Ian Cardoni) in the footage as the family battles a beast comprised of couch cushions.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Despite its decades-long transformation into a thriving hub for robotics, health care and higher education, Pittsburgh continually battles to shake off its 20th-century Rust Belt reputation in the national consciousness.
—Tim Derdenger, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
The series ran from 1993 to 2001 and followed Ranger Cordell Walker, a Texas lawman who battles crime with a black belt and strong personal code.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battles
Noun
-
Police also allegedly received numerous reports of fights and disturbances in different areas of the Jennings Beach grounds and parking lots.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But fights are just as integral to the Netflix show created by Lee Sung Jin, and the series’ sound team needed to do even more meticulous work building visceral senses of anger, stress, and dread that slowly swallow up the characters and steer them into making a compounding set of poor decisions.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the Moon moves through your 10th House of Visibility, your actions speak louder than your intentions.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Avdija took exception to Castle’s actions and shoved him.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the course of three decades, multiple law enforcement agencies tried to crack the case as conspiracy theories involving complex gang and music-related rivalries swirled.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The film traces his long-running bid to step out of Chun’s shadow and claim the top seat himself, examining the web of alliances, rivalries, and institutional maneuvers that defines his ascent.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Self-driving cars are operating commercially in some cities, and a relaxing, productive commute in an autonomous car competes for the same customer an eVTOL is trying to attract.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Weaker as a blocker on the move, but competes with a mean streak.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bristy has not been found as of Saturday, but the suspect faces two murder counts.—
Robert McGreevy , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the investigative outlet Inkyfada faces a court hearing May 11 as authorities pursue the dissolution of Al Khatt, the association that publishes it.—
Ghaya ben Mbarek,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Regular physical activity helps reduce blood pressure, eases arthritic pain, combats chronic illness and lifts your mood.—
Helen Dennis,
Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Aeration helps oxygen reach roots and combats the effects of compacting, but making sure your lawn continues to breathe is key to keeping it consistently green.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to a survey conducted by Emerson College Polling in late March, a majority of Floridians — including a majority of independents — opposes mid-decade redistricting.—
Allyson Meyers,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Take the issue of AI data centers, which Fishback opposes in Florida due to their high cost of operation.—
Thomas C. Shank,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battles. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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