1
as in battled
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
a proud people who have fiercely fought all invaders of their homeland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposed
to strive to reduce or eliminate
a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting prejudice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in competed
to engage in a contest
everyone on that street seems to be fighting to see who can create the gaudiest holiday lighting display
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in bickered
to express different opinions about something often angrily
if you kids continue to fight, I'm turning this car around and we're heading back home!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in resisted
to refuse to give in to
I tried to fight the temptation to eat another cookie—and lost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fought
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, 24 Apr. 2026
Mulvaney, the environmental studies professor, says battery developers and government officials should take a lesson from battles fought in the 2000s over the siting of wind and solar farms on ecologically vulnerable land.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Amanda was an advertising executive at D&D Advertising who fought and lied her way to the top.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Brooks is a former first-round pick, who had to endure the pressure of expectations from Day 1 while Dodson was an undrafted player who fought and clawed for everything he’s ever achieved in the NFL.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Thankfully, many judges have fought many of his unconstitutional acts.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
Israel and Hezbollah have fought several wars and have been fighting on and off since the day after the start of the Gaza war.
—Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The woman she’s based on is real, a volunteer who — and this is perhaps another spoiler, though one again disclosed elsewhere — married Yarris as the two of them fought to overturn his conviction.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
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, 24 Apr. 2026
Mulvaney, the environmental studies professor, says battery developers and government officials should take a lesson from battles fought in the 2000s over the siting of wind and solar farms on ecologically vulnerable land.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Amanda was an advertising executive at D&D Advertising who fought and lied her way to the top.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Brooks is a former first-round pick, who had to endure the pressure of expectations from Day 1 while Dodson was an undrafted player who fought and clawed for everything he’s ever achieved in the NFL.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Thankfully, many judges have fought many of his unconstitutional acts.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
Israel and Hezbollah have fought several wars and have been fighting on and off since the day after the start of the Gaza war.
—Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The woman she’s based on is real, a volunteer who — and this is perhaps another spoiler, though one again disclosed elsewhere — married Yarris as the two of them fought to overturn his conviction.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fought
Verb
-
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
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
-
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
-
Rollins and Breakker bickered over who was responsible for Breakker’s success.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The pair have famously bickered over the past 20 years.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But critics say Sheinbaum’s government has resisted taking steps against corrupt politicians linked to the ruling party.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Residents who resisted the charms of the governor’s multimillion-dollar press team were already raising an eyebrow at the bold claims and estimates.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
29 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
-
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
-
Both France and Padres manager Craig Stammen argued the call and replays seemed to clearly show the base of the ball was entirely in foul ground.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The trust has said that recognizes the need for a larger meeting space at the White House, but argued that only Congress could authorize it.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fought. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
