battling 1 of 2

adjective

as in fighting

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battling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of battle
1
as in competing
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
2
as in facing
to enter into contest or conflict with the two top-seeded tennis players battled each other for almost three hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in combating
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 opposing
to strive to reduce or eliminate we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist

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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 battling
Verb
Practices that have spent years battling denials become worn down by the process. — Venkata Ramya Ganti, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 One firefighter was hurt battling the fire but no other injuries have been reported. — Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Already, three firefighters have died battling a blaze on the Colorado-Utah border. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 30 June 2026 The festival presents a total immersion, from sharing space and moments with other festival-goers to battling mud and rain. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 These early holiday weekend discounts are giving you a second chance to get epic, party-ready upgrades without battling grocery store crowds for the last pack of hot dog buns. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026 Several of her siblings have taken extended leaves of absence from work in the past several months while battling intense anxiety. — Ilana Arougheti june 30, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 That's because the Ferraris and Mercedes were battling for pole, with the Ferraris up front and Charles Leclerc on conditional pole. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026 On Saturday, three firefighters were killed battling the Snyder Fire along the Utah-Colorado border. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battling
  1. fighting
  2. competing
  3. facing
  4. combating
  5. opposing
  6. contending
  7. encountering
  8. meeting
Adjective
  • After having two children and settling into post-fighting life on her farm in Riverside, Rousey seriously began to consider an MMA return last year.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 17 May 2026
  • Speaking ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Johnson told the BBC that the troops should be sent to peaceful regions in non-fighting roles.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Definition of fighting
Verb
  • Soft whites, grays, and chalky pastels allow the flooring to shine without competing for attention.
    — Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026
  • The announcement of a new country competing, the first of its kind since Eurovision welcomed Australia in 2015, arrived on Wednesday, one day ahead of the country’s Canada Day holiday.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026
Definition of competing
Verb
  • Domestic Shield directs counter-drone resources to locations facing the greatest operational risk.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
  • The fundraiser says Dileo, a single father, is now facing the financial burden of bringing his son home to Florida, in addition to funeral, burial and other unexpected expenses.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of facing
Verb
  • This multi-antibody approach could also be crucial for combating other rapidly evolving viruses like influenza and SARS-CoV-2, offering a more durable defense against viral evolution.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • My way of combatting this issue is by sourcing clothes that can do it all, like this versatile crop tank top.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026
Definition of combating
Verb
  • The other opposing vote came from Supervisor Brian Pacheco, who declined to comment.
    — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Rutinel touted his Dominican background and accused Bird of not being tough enough in opposing ICE.
    — Saige Miller, NPR, 1 July 2026
Definition of opposing
Verb
  • As the trade deadline approaches, though, contending teams will surely be calling the Red Sox about Chapman.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, James floated the idea publicly about ending his career in Cleveland and publicly praised the LA Rams for dealing draft picks to ensure a Super Bowl-contending team.
    — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of contending
Verb
  • Here, Amer plays a fictional version of himself, a Palestinian refugee who is trying to get legal status while encountering personal and professional roadblocks at every turn.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Conditions can shift rapidly, even in summer, with climbers encountering ice, rockfall and limited visibility within hours.
    — James Ward, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of encountering
Verb
  • Their lives gradually shift after meeting No Yeong-ju, an optimistic singing instructor played by Im Ji-eun, whose positive outlook encourages both women to confront their past.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • The warning is the second issued by UCSB police since May, when an 18-year-old freshman reported she was raped and strangled after meeting a man at a Sigma Pi fraternity party before returning to her dorm at Tropicana Gardens in Isla Vista.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of meeting

Browse Nearby Words

battles royal
battling
batty
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Cite this Entry

“Battling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on battling

Nglish: Translation of battling for Spanish Speakers

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