FIGHTS Synonyms: 242 Similar and Opposite Words

fights 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of fight

as in battles

to oppose (someone) in physical conflict a proud people who have fiercely fought all invaders of their homeland

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as in opposes

to strive to reduce or eliminate a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting prejudice

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as in competes

to engage in a contest everyone on that street seems to be fighting to see who can create the gaudiest holiday lighting display

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as in bickers

to express different opinions about something often angrily if you kids continue to fight, I'm turning this car around and we're heading back home!

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as in resists

to refuse to give in to I tried to fight the temptation to eat another cookie—and lost

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fights

2 of 2

noun

plural of fight

as in skirmishes

a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups a troubled youth who got into one fight after another

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truces

as in struggles

a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective the mayoral candidate pledged to lead a successful fight to improve the city's schools

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as in altercations

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the couple have their share of fights, but they quickly get over them

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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 fights

Verb

Another shoreside community fights beach erosion Laguna Beach public works officials have closed a section of Aliso Beach’s parking lot after high tides and strong waves washed away sand and undermined a section of the lot. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Water has become so scarce that fights break out between neighbors when a water truck arrives, and protests over the lack of water have become common. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 Conceived as the female counterpart to Superman and Batman, the heroine is an Amazon who fights against injustice and the forces of evil, driven by an ideal of equality and peace. — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 Arjona stars in Onslaught as a mother and soldier who fights to protect her daughter from a group of super-soldiers who attack in the desert. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 Two fights Washington has been building toward this year came to a head Monday. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 Bessent’s maneuver could handcuff the Federal Reserve, which fights inflation by raising interest rates. — Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026 The team comes up with scenarios in which Emi fights a mech or battles yakuza in the clouds, and the fights defy expectations. — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 Meta has swooned as the company fights litigation alleging that the firm seeded addictive behavior in children. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Noun

In a few boss fights, the battles can suddenly change into a completely different format. — George Yang, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026 While clearing mobs of enemies can be fun, the combat really shines during the game’s many boss fights. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026 This debate over his nomination is both a test for a Council that describes itself as pro-housing and a preview of future housing fights. — Annemarie Gray, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 The industry’s broad legal challenge is fading, but narrower fights over Medicare drug negotiation are just beginning. — Megan R. Wilson, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 Police said officers broke up several fights before officers, security and property management teams dispersed the crowd. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 The Cabarrus controversy comes as transgender rights have become a major national political talking point, with fights over girls’ sports, bathroom access and school policies playing out in courts and school board meetings. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 Gun safety does not begin and end with high-profile fights in Washington or state legislatures. — Brittany Berlin, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026 And fights can lead to being suspended for multiple games or the season. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fights

Verb

The youngest of late Lakers owner Jerry Buss’ six children, the brothers have made the Padres their first major investment as the family battles over the sale of its remaining Lakers stake.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Is Joe Biden’s wayward son trying to land a lucrative podcast deal or taking one last stand to clear his name as his father battles cancer?

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of battles

Verb

The 2026 Honda Pilot competes against rivals like the Toyota Grand Highlander and Kia Telluride.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Their case counts wide-release theatrical movies and the basic cable bundle, and leaves out streaming, YouTube, sports rights, and everything else that now competes for the same hours of your evening.

— Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of competes

Verb

Eve resists scream-queen clichés, but Gemma’s boringly typical tortured backstory is as flat as her wan chemistry with Nick.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Harbour resists the idea that the label was ever a cage or a hurdle to his progress as an artist.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of resists

Noun

Its outcome will be a major milestone in the decades-long political skirmishes over CEQA.

— Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Aug. 2026
In 1988, for instance, Khomeini finally agreed to end his war with Iraq after the United States began engaging Iranian naval ships in direct skirmishes, leading him to fear that Reagan might formally align with Saddam Hussein’s regime.

— Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of skirmishes

Noun

The criticism instead centers on the significant advantages that enormous family wealth can provide, including time, training and the freedom to pursue a creative career without the financial struggles many developing artists face.

— Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Isaiah explains that sharing their pregnancy losses and fertility struggles publicly felt like their purpose.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of struggles

Noun

After marching from Crocker Park in downtown Sacramento, the protest groups engaged in verbal and physical altercations across a barricade formed by law enforcement officers.

— Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Simple assault are altercations and incidents that don’t involve weapons or serious injuries, including domestic incidents.

— Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026