battle
noun, verb
UK/ˈbæt.əl/US/ˈbæt̬.əl/
As a noun, it refers to a sustained fight or conflict between armed forces, or a struggle or contest between opposing sides. As a verb, it means to engage in conflict or to struggle against an adversary or challenge.
Example Sentences
The final battle of the war determined the fate of the entire kingdom.
She refused to give up and continued to battle against her illness.
Throughout history, many famous battles have shaped the borders of nations and influenced the balance of power across continents.
They battled through adversity to achieve their dream of launching a successful startup.
He read about a fierce medieval battle in an ancient manuscript at the library.
Her daily life felt like a constant battle against deadlines and workplace stress.
In some cases, the hardest battles we face are the internal ones, requiring immense personal courage and resilience to overcome self-doubt and limiting beliefs.
Soldiers on both sides prepared for weeks before finally engaging in a massive, decisive battle that would echo through generations to come, altering the region’s history and forging new alliances.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
A fight or contest between opposing sides, typically involving force or intense effort.“Battle” can serve as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it describes a clash between opposing forces, often in warfare or in metaphorical struggles like political battles. In historical or military contexts, it implies armed conflict—“The decisive battle changed the course of the war.” Figuratively, a battle can be any intense challenge, such as “Her daily battle with anxiety.” Used as a verb, “to battle” means to fight or struggle: “They battled against the odds,” or “He battled a severe illness.” Whether literal or metaphorical, “battle” underscores opposition, endurance, and the will to overcome. In formal writing about wars or conflicts, specify the context (e.g., “the Battle of Waterloo” or “they battled for control of the city”). In everyday usage, it can frame personal challenges or competitive scenarios—“She’s battling for the top spot in the tournament.” Regardless of usage, “battle” conveys determined confrontation, implying risk, effort, or resilience.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid repeating “battle,” you can select terms like “fight,” “clash,” “conflict,” or “struggle.” “Fight” is more general and applies to both physical and abstract disputes. “Clash” focuses on the direct nature of the opposition, emphasizing a collision or head-to-head encounter. “Conflict” can be broader, encompassing disagreements, rivalries, or warfare. “Struggle” suggests a prolonged or difficult effort against resistance or adversity, often in personal or metaphorical contexts. In historical or epic narratives, words like “skirmish,” “engagement,” or “campaign” can bring nuance—though each carries specific connotations about the size or scope of the conflict. Choosing among these synonyms depends on the intensity, duration, or style of the confrontation you wish to describe. Meanwhile, in casual conversation, you might say “going head-to-head” or “facing off,” framing the event as a competition. By varying your word choice, you keep the narrative fresh and highlight different facets of opposing forces or challenges.
Writing
When writing about a battle—literal or metaphorical—context and vivid detail make the conflict resonate. For historical or fantasy battles, describe the setting, strategies, weaponry, and the emotional stakes for those involved. If you focus on characters, highlight their motivations, fears, or hopes, bringing depth to the clash rather than just recounting who fought whom. Verbs like “charged,” “defended,” “surged,” or “collapsed” can help depict the progress and outcome of a physical battle. In non-literal contexts, you could contrast the severity of a personal battle with the subtlety of an internal struggle, using language that fits an individual’s psychological or emotional challenges—“She battled self-doubt daily, forging a path to self-confidence.” In academic or journalistic writing, define the scale and significance of a battle—was it a minor skirmish or a pivotal turning point? Provide background, outcomes, and long-term effects. If you’re exploring figurative battles, clarify the stakes: a “battle” over environmental issues, for instance, might hinge on legislation or public opinion. Throughout, strong, active descriptions ensure readers grasp the tension and importance of the confrontation at hand.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, “battle” often appears when dramatizing a competition or struggle, even if it’s not life-or-death. Friends might say, “I’m battling traffic on my way home,” exaggerating the frustration of a commute. Others might joke about “battling” a toddler’s tantrum or “battling” a messy kitchen. Sports fans casually refer to matchups as “battles,” e.g., “Tomorrow’s game will be a real battle between the top teams.” Social media users might post about “battling Monday blues,” meaning they’re facing a rough start to the week.These everyday uses show how “battle” can inject excitement or emphasis into run-of-the-mill problems. It highlights conflict, energy, or perseverance, even if the scenario isn’t truly adversarial. The term also pops up in pop culture—from rap battles to dance battles—where the notion of competition is front and center. The flexible nature of “battle” in casual talk lets people heighten the importance or drama of any confrontation, big or small, with a single word.
Etymology
The word “battle” originates from the Old French “bataille,” which in turn comes from Late Latin “battuere,” meaning “to beat” or “to strike.” In medieval Europe, “battle” largely referred to armed clashes between feudal armies, cementing its association with physical combat and warfare. Over time, the term expanded to encapsulate any intense or decisive contest—spanning literary epics, legal disputes, and personal struggles. From knights battling on the fields of the Middle Ages to modern references like “battle of wills,” the concept retains its foundational sense of a strenuous conflict against an opposing force. The word has also evolved into idiomatic expressions like “battle it out,” implying a competitive drive for victory. Today, whether describing an ancient war, a social media feud, or an inner struggle, “battle” continues to symbolize a confrontational effort to overcome obstacles or defeat an adversary.
