noun
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
Synonyms
Examples
- Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga
- he lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement
noun
an energetic attempt to achieve something
Synonyms
Examples
- getting through the crowd was a real struggle
- he fought a battle for recognition
noun
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
Synonyms
Examples
- the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph"--Thomas Paine
- police tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs
verb
battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
Synonyms
Examples
- The Kurds are combating Iraqi troops in Northern Iraq
- We must combat the prejudices against other races
- they battled over the budget