Battles — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb phrase /ˈba-tᵊl/ (noun) /-rȯi-ˈal/ (noun) bat·tle

Meaning & Definition of Battles

Battles (noun)

  1. a hostile encounter between opposing military forces —sometimes used before another noun
  2. a usually lengthy contest, struggle, or controversy
  3. a struggle to succeed or survive
  4. a fight participated in by more than two combatants; especially, one in which the last fighter in the ring or the last fighter standing is declared the winner
  5. a violent struggle
  6. a heated dispute
  7. an intensely fought battle in which the opposing forces are locked in close combat

Battles (verb)

  1. to engage in combat between individuals or armed forces, to engage in battle, fight
  2. to contend with full strength, vigor, skill, or resources, struggle
  3. to fight or struggle against
  4. to fortify with battlements

Battles (phrase)

  1. to engage in a prolonged fight, argument, or struggle

Battles (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective

    "passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded"

  2. a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups

    "a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street"

    near: truces
  3. active fighting during the course of a war

    "soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle"

  4. an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another

    "the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players"

Battles (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to engage in a contest

    "the two teams, which have long been archrivals, will battle on the court for the state championship"

  2. to enter into contest or conflict with

    "the two top-seeded tennis players battled each other for almost three hours"

  3. to oppose (someone) in physical conflict

    "the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge"

  4. to strive to reduce or eliminate

    "we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist"

Related Entry: Battle (noun)

Battle is a different word from Battles. The synonyms below are for battle, not for battles.

  1. a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective

    "passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded"

  2. a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups

    "a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street"

    near: truce
  3. active fighting during the course of a war

    "soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle"

    similar: action, combat, field
  4. an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another

    "the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players"

Related Entry: Battle (verb)

Battle is a different word from Battles. The synonyms below are for battle, not for battles.

  1. to engage in a contest

    "the two teams, which have long been archrivals, will battle on the court for the state championship"

  2. to enter into contest or conflict with

    "the two top-seeded tennis players battled each other for almost three hours"

  3. to oppose (someone) in physical conflict

    "the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge"

  4. to strive to reduce or eliminate

    "we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist"

Related Entry: Battles royal (noun)

Battles royal is a different word from Battles. The synonyms below are for battles royal, not for battles.

  1. an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions

    "the sisters had a battle royal over whose turn it was to use the family car"

Related Entry: Pitched battles (noun)

Pitched battles is a different word from Battles. The synonyms below are for pitched battles, not for battles.

  1. as in attacks, fires

Related Entry: Battle royal (noun)

Battle royal is a different word from Battles. The synonyms below are for battle royal, not for battles.

  1. an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions

    "the sisters had a battle royal over whose turn it was to use the family car"

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Battles

The most common words with a similar meaning to Battles:

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Battles

Words with the opposite meaning of Battles:

Near Antonyms of Battles

Word Forms of Battles

Inflections: battled, battling, battles royal, battle royals, battles royale, battle royales

Derived words: battler (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Battles

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Battles

What does "Battles" mean?

"Battles" means a hostile encounter between opposing military forces —sometimes used before another noun. As an a noun, a verb and a phrase, 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 "Battles"?

Other words for "Battles" include fights, frays, scrabbles, struggles, throes, clashes, combats and conflicts. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Battles" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Battles"?

There are 179 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Battles". Common alternatives include fights, frays, scrabbles, struggles, throes, clashes, combats, conflicts, contests and dustups.

What is the opposite of "Battles"?

Antonyms of "Battles" include advances, cultivates, encourages, forwards, fosters, furthers, nourishes and nurtures. Near antonyms include truces, concords, harmonies and peaces.

How do you use "Battles" in a sentence?

Examples of "Battles" 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 "Battles" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Battles" can be used as a noun, a verb and a phrase, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Battles"?

"Battles" is pronounced /ˈba-tᵊl/ as a noun and /-rȯi-ˈal/ as a noun and divided into syllables as bat·tle.

What is the origin of the word "Battles"?

"Battles" comes from 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.