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
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 battled
In 2023, Disney battled top cable operator Charter Communications and the agreement that resulted after a 10-day blackout served as a template for the industry.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
The two men have battled against each other several times.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
In 2023, however, Mendoza battled QBs such as North Carolina State transfer Ben Finley and Texas Christian transfer Sam Jackson.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
In one of the evening's non-championship matches, WWE Women's World Champion Stephanie Vaquer battled Judgement Day's Roxxane Perez.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
In his later years, Horne battled a number of health issues and often shared updates about his health on social media from his hospital bed.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Carpenter only stood on the mats for a moment, but throughout her performance two red-belt opponents battled it out while wearing sneakers with their uniforms.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
But LeBron James, who famously battled Golden State in four consecutive NBA Finals in the 2010s and a decade ago engineered a comeback from down 3-1 in the 2016 Finals, will not share the floor with his longtime nemesis.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
For years, Selma Blair battled unexplained pain and crippling fatigue while doctors dismissed her symptoms.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
The two men have battled against each other several times.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
In 2023, however, Mendoza battled QBs such as North Carolina State transfer Ben Finley and Texas Christian transfer Sam Jackson.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
In one of the evening's non-championship matches, WWE Women's World Champion Stephanie Vaquer battled Judgement Day's Roxxane Perez.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
In his later years, Horne battled a number of health issues and often shared updates about his health on social media from his hospital bed.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Carpenter only stood on the mats for a moment, but throughout her performance two red-belt opponents battled it out while wearing sneakers with their uniforms.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
But LeBron James, who famously battled Golden State in four consecutive NBA Finals in the 2010s and a decade ago engineered a comeback from down 3-1 in the 2016 Finals, will not share the floor with his longtime nemesis.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
For years, Selma Blair battled unexplained pain and crippling fatigue while doctors dismissed her symptoms.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battled
Verb
-
Here are the results of the top 14 high schools that competed from all across the country.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Smith, who double majored in statistics and computer science, previously competed on the women’s swimming and diving team.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The president and his party have faced three corruption scandals this year, while Argentina’s slowing economy and frustration with high unemployment rates helped push Milei’s approval to the lowest level of his term ahead of the vote.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Waupun Correctional Institution has also faced a series of deaths among those incarcerated there in recent years and is now under investigation by federal officials over how drugs and contraband were smuggled inside.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The event was the latest public honoring of North Korean troops who fought in Russia to repel an incursion by Ukrainian forces.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In his remarks, Sures saluted his late father, who fought in Israel’s War of Independence in 1948.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But animal welfare experts raised several concerns to Public Investigator, including the size of the animal enclosures and the zoo’s breeding of a white tiger, which is opposed by conservation organizations like the World Wildlife Fund.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that jail clothing assists with safety and identification.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Super Bowl winner contended that with a five-game winning streak, maybe people will start believing more in this Bears team.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
This time, the environmental advocacy group contended that San Diego’s supplemental analysis of the visual impacts of taller buildings, prepared in advance of the 2022 ballot measure, disregarded other consequential environmental factors.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to federal sources, Singh was first encountered by Border Patrol agents in California’s El Centro Sector in March 2022 and released into the interior pending an immigration hearing.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The storm’s intensity has made these flights especially dangerous, as crews have encountered severe turbulence within the hurricane’s eyewall.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Satuala raced 40 yards to the end zone.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Bailey, with headphones on, listened as the spirit box raced through radio frequencies for answers to questions the guests asked.—
Jim Beaugez,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump met Milei at the White House two weeks ago, and the Argentine has emerged as one of the US leader’s most ardent supporters abroad.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and top trade negotiator Li Chenggang on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur for a fifth round of in-person discussions since May.—
Xinghui Kok,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Battled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battled. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share