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

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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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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
Her path is profoundly reshaped by an encounter with Mari (Okamoto), a Japanese theater director battling cancer. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026 Emergency services have been battling wildfires driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season, generating dense smoke that crossed into Malaysia and Brunei, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. — Muhammad Hatta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Joe Milton and Shavon Revel had big outings against the Cardinals, while Jonathan Mingo and Camden Brown continued battling at receiver. — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Two firefighters were hospitalized for burn injuries Monday night after battling a blaze in south Fort Worth, officials said. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 India has been battling foreign capital outflows as its trade deficit has widened amid high global energy prices. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 Firefighters are battling a large blaze at an apartment in Fort Worth early Tuesday morning, according to the fire department. — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Crews are battling the blaze amid dangerous fire conditions including high temperatures and strong winds. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Breakout gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry is continuing to add to its season two cast, with Daniel Diemer set to play Ryan Price, a tough guy enforcer battling anxiety off the ice. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 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
  • Iran and the United States are doubling down on competing claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz, but the reality is more nuanced than either side is willing to admit.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Several schools were competing at the track event when Anthony sat under the Memorial High School tent that was perched in the bleachers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of competing
Verb
  • The campaign has also highlighted the solidarity of Estonia’s art community, with artists rallying around an institution facing an unusually severe financial crisis caused by the scam.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • And with losses to Duke and Brigham Young already, USC is already facing an uphill climb to start the season.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of facing
Verb
  • The fastest-growing category now is NAD+ — a coenzyme central to mitochondrial energy production and DNA repair — sold as boosting energy, combating aging and enhancing recovery.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In later years, Parton and her charitable Dollywood Foundation were active in charitable work encouraging literacy and combating the spread of HIV and AIDS.
    — Chris Morris, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of combating
Verb
  • Among rural voters, 25% expressed support, while 60% opposed — with 44% strongly opposing the construction of data centers.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • When his splitter is at its best, Cruz makes opposing hitters look foolish.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of opposing
Verb
  • Boston Bruins The Bruins have an average at best roster and farm system, and trying to win while rebuilding on the fly is something that usually backfires more often than leading to a contending team.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Kiley turned the criticism around, contending that his willingness to work with both parties was a strength.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of contending
Verb
  • Mexican YouTuber Alex Crashers described encountering an aura battle in Mexico in a video shared this week.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The tiny animal played and explored, apparently encountering humans for perhaps the first time.
    — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of encountering
Verb
  • Willy Kurniawan | Reuters Indonesia may have trouble meeting its economic-growth goals for the coming year, after spending 2026 on the defensive amid questions about fiscal outlays and the prospects of a downgrade from MSCI.
    — Celestine Iyer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The film’s audition introduced Hale to her future costar and now-husband Massagli, who recalled meeting her for the first time in a joint interview with Inside Edition in 2021.
    — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 2026.

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