battle
∞
1.4
- noun
- /ˈbætəl/
- The history books are filled with stories of legendary battles fought for freedom.
- fight battles
- lose the battle
- troops in battle
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Watch on YouTubeThey like that because within that battle is the fog of war.
- They like that because within that battle is the fog of war.
- So how long after the battle did you leave Syria?
- He went from holding, you know, guns in battle to being a nurse.
- Fighting broke out and the Battle of George Square began.
- You wouldn't want to wage a battle near the sea without boats.
- Not only to win the battle, but to win that war.
- Yes, we now have a deadly crisis and battle occurring in Sudan.
- But the most iconic variant reserved for battle was the large bearskin cap.
- And that character, there's a little battle between Death and the the wizard.
- Then he will win this battle or perish.
Examples
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After days of intense fighting, the battle finally ended with a ceasefire agreement.
-
Most soldiers died not in battle, but from disease.
-
Not only to win the battle, but to win that war.
-
This is going to be the battle to end all battles.
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It's an epic battle of man versus nature.
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Then he will win this battle or perish.
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You're free to return to the field of battle, George.
-
Although they won the first battle of Himera, the Greeks would not have the upper hand forever.
Academic text (2011) -
And as he marched, the remembered sounds of the battle continued pounding in his ears...
Fiction book (1990) -
The two armies clashed in a dramatic battle for control of the city.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A physical struggle between people or groups, like a boxing match
599
3.5
A fight between soldiers or armed groups in a war
539
2.7
A violent fight between armed groups in a war
368
2.9
A serious fight between groups to gain control
230
4.5
A situation when people or groups meet in direct conflict, often angrily
195
6.9
Fighting between soldiers in a war
137
3.0
Troops that are active in battle
118
3.7
An action by soldiers that involves fighting
117
3.2
A short conflict between people or groups
108
4.3
A final meeting where two sides face each other to settle a dispute
100
6.9
Close fighting during the final part of a military attack
73
7.1
A fight between armed groups during a war
66
5.5
A contest between two skilled opponents, for example two teams or candidates
61
4.6
A noisy, violent fight among a group in a public place
53
5.6
A violent fight in which people fire guns at each other
52
6.6
Serious disagreement and fighting among people
46
6.5
A short battle where armed people shoot at each other
45
7.4
Fighting between two countries or groups during a war
44
6.5
A noisy fight involving several people
39
6.4
A brief unplanned fight between small groups, often during a larger conflict
30
3.2
A short fight where people shoot at each other with guns
8
7.0
A close, fierce fight between fighter planes or in a contest
6
8.0
A planned large fight where armies meet at an arranged time and place
6
5.1
A violent fight between rival criminal groups
3
8.2
A fight between two people to settle a dispute, often on a battlefield
2
7.0
A noisy fight involving many people in one place
2
4.9
A fight between soldiers or military groups using weapons
1
5.8
A violent clash where people shoot at each other with guns
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
6
6.5
Try very hard to do something even though you will probably fail
- Informal
1
7.1
Get a small success but lose a bigger long-term goal
Compounds
- Specialized
21
7.1
A place often on a ship where sailors or soldiers go to prepare for fighting
7
6.3
A major World War II battle in winter 1944–45 in the Ardennes where Germany surprised Allied forces
- Archaic
6
7.2
A large warship with big guns made to be fast but with lighter armor than a battleship
- Informal
5
6.1
A contest where people try to outsmart each other, for example in a debate or game
4
5.1
A major 1863 battle in the American Civil War where the Union army defeated General Lee
3
5.3
A long air fight in World War II when German planes attack British cities and fight Britain's air force
2
8.8
An early Civil War battle in Virginia where Confederate forces defeat Union troops
2
5.8
A major battle on 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in which allied armies defeat Napoleon and end his rule
1
5.3
An important sea battle in World War II where American ships defeated a Japanese fleet near Midway in June 1942
1
9.3
A famous fight in northern France in 1415 where English soldiers beat a larger French army
1
6.9
A major sea battle in 1805 off Spain where Nelson's British navy defeated the French and Spanish fleets
1
4.8
An 1836 fight in Texas when Mexican forces attacked the Alamo and killed the people defending it
1
7.9
A major early Civil War battle fought in July 1861 near Manassas, Virginia that the Confederate army won
1
4.9
A 1066 battle where William the Conqueror defeats King Harold II and begins Norman rule in England
1
4.7
An early battle of the American Revolution near Boston in which the British won but suffered heavy losses
1
7.9
A major 1778 battle in New Jersey during the American Revolution that ended with the British leaving
1
6.9
A 1876 battle in Montana where United States soldiers led by Custer lose to Sioux and Cheyenne warriors
1
9.4
A famous 480 BC battle where a small Greek force led by Leonidas resisted a much larger Persian army
1
7.8
A major fight in World War II from 1942 to 1943 when American forces took Guadalcanal back from Japan
A major 1863 Civil War battle where Lee's Southern army defeats Hooker's Northern army
1
8.2
A major World War I battle in 1916 near Verdun, France between French and German armies
1
7.3
A major 1864 Civil War battle in which Union forces captured and burned much of Atlanta
1
6.5
A 1945 World War II battle where American forces took Iwo Jima from Japanese soldiers after heavy fighting
- Specialized
1
4.7
A group of troops from different countries ready to move quickly to a crisis
1
9.4
A battle in 680 near Karbala where Husayn ibn Ali and his followers are killed
1
7.2
A sea battle in May 1942 fought only by planes from aircraft carriers that stops a Japanese advance
1
7.7
A large 1945 fight on Okinawa in World War II where United States troops captured the island from Japan
1
9.0
A World War I battle near Ypres known for fierce fighting where neither side clearly won
1
7.4
Major World War I battle in northwest France where Allied forces defeat the German army in 1918
1
7.5
A major 1942 World War II battle in North Africa where Allied forces defeated German and Italian armies
1
8.2
A decisive victory by Greek city-states over the Persian army in 479 BC that ends the Persian invasion of Greece
1
8.2
A 1941 World War II battle in which Japanese forces captured Wake Island from outnumbered American marines
1
8.6
A battle in December 1941 where Japan captured Wake Island after American marines fought hard
1
5.8
A 1777 American victory that is a turning point for the colonies in the Revolutionary War
1
9.4
A major battle in 42 BC near Philippi where Octavian and Mark Antony defeated Brutus and Cassius
1
7.2
A fight in 490 BC near Marathon, Greece in which the Athenians defeat Persian invaders
1
7.4
A major World War II battle in 1944 when US forces return to the Philippines and kamikaze planes are used
1
5.8
A nickname for Nevada because it became a state during the American Civil War
An 1876 battle in Montana where General Custer's soldiers were defeated by Sioux and Cheyenne
1
9.4
A battle in 1356 during the Hundred Years' War where English forces led by the Black Prince defeat the French
1
9.1
An important naval battle in 1905 in which Japan defeats the Russian fleet in the sea between Korea and Japan
1
8.7
A large sea battle in World War I between British and German fleets off Denmark in 1916
1
8.8
A 1757 battle in Bengal where British forces beat the local ruler and began British control in India
How Severe
Surface Forms
Etymology
Battle comes from an old Latin verb battuere, meaning 'to beat', and passed into Old French as bataille. Imagine two armies 'beating' at each other — that is why a battle is a violent fight.