Battle — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Battle
Battle (noun)
- a hostile encounter between opposing military forces —sometimes used before another noun
- a usually lengthy contest, struggle, or controversy
- a struggle to succeed or survive
Battle (verb)
- to engage in combat between individuals or armed forces, to engage in battle, fight
- to contend with full strength, vigor, skill, or resources, struggle
- to fight or struggle against
- to fortify with battlements
Battle (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
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a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
"passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded"
-
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
"a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street"
-
active fighting during the course of a war
"soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle"
-
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
"the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players"
Battle (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
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to engage in a contest
"the two teams, which have long been archrivals, will battle on the court for the state championship"
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to enter into contest or conflict with
"the two top-seeded tennis players battled each other for almost three hours"
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to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
"the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge"
-
to strive to reduce or eliminate
"we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist"
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Battle
The most common words with a similar meaning to Battle:
Antonyms & Opposite Words for Battle
Words with the opposite meaning of Battle:
Near Antonyms of Battle
Word Forms of Battle
Inflections: battles, battled, battling
Derived words: battler (noun)
Origin & Etymology of Battle
Middle English batel, from Anglo-French bataille battle, battalion, from Late Latin battalia combat, alteration of battualia fencing exercises, from Latin battuere to beat
First known use: 13th century
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Battle
- CEFR level: B1 English Vocabulary — Page 2
- Topics: History & Mythology, Conflict & Opposition
Words & Phrases Containing Battle
Frequently Asked Questions about Battle
What does "Battle" mean?
"Battle" means a hostile encounter between opposing military forces —sometimes used before another noun. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a hostile encounter between opposing military forces —sometimes used before another noun. It has 8 distinct senses.
What is another word for "Battle"?
Other words for "Battle" include fight, fray, scrabble, struggle, throes, clash, combat and conflict. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Battle" you intend.
What are different ways to say "Battle"?
There are 180 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Battle". Common alternatives include fight, fray, scrabble, struggle, throes, clash, combat, conflict, contest and dustup.
What is the opposite of "Battle"?
Antonyms of "Battle" include advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish and nurture. Near antonyms include truce, concord, harmony and peace.
How do you use "Battle" in a sentence?
Examples of "Battle" in a sentence: "passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded"; "a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street"; "soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle".
Is "Battle" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Battle" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.
Is "Battle" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As a B1-level word, "Battle" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.
How do you pronounce "Battle"?
"Battle" is pronounced /ˈba-tᵊl/ and divided into syllables as bat·tle.