battle
∞
1.4
- noun
- /ˈbætəl/
:
batalla
- The history books are filled with stories of legendary battles fought for freedom.
- fight battles
- lose the battle
- troops in battle
They 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
-
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.
-
It's an epic battle of man versus nature.
-
Then he will win this battle or perish.
-
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
854
3.5
A fight between soldiers or armed groups in a war
514
2.7
A violent fight between armed groups in a war
423
6.9
Close fighting during the final part of a military attack
415
6.9
Fighting between soldiers in a war
294
4.5
A situation when people or groups meet in direct conflict, often angrily
290
2.9
A serious fight between groups to gain control
105
3.7
An action by soldiers that involves fighting
105
3.2
A short conflict between people or groups
101
4.3
A final meeting where two sides face each other to settle a dispute
79
5.6
A violent fight in which people fire guns at each other
61
7.1
A fight between armed groups during a war
60
4.6
A noisy, violent fight among a group in a public place
58
6.6
Serious disagreement and fighting among people
56
6.5
A short battle where armed people shoot at each other
50
6.5
A noisy fight involving several people
38
5.5
A contest between two skilled opponents, for example two teams or candidates
35
3.2
A short fight where people shoot at each other with guns
22
6.4
A brief unplanned fight between small groups, often during a larger conflict
11
7.0
A close, fierce fight between fighter planes or in a contest
4
8.0
A planned large fight where armies meet at an arranged time and place
4
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
1
4.9
A fight between soldiers or military groups using weapons
1
7.4
Fighting between two countries or groups during a war
1
5.8
A violent clash where people shoot at each other with guns
1
7.0
A noisy fight involving many people in one place
Troops that are active in battle
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
4
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
15
7.1
A place often on a ship where sailors or soldiers go to prepare for fighting
8
6.3
A major World War II battle in winter 1944–45 in the Ardennes where Germany surprised Allied forces
- Specialized
5
4.7
A group of troops from different countries ready to move quickly to a crisis
- Archaic
5
7.2
A large warship with big guns made to be fast but with lighter armor than a battleship
- Informal
4
6.1
A contest where people try to outsmart each other, for example in a debate or game
3
5.3
A long air fight in World War II when German planes attack British cities and fight Britain's air force
3
5.1
A major 1863 battle in the American Civil War where the Union army defeated General Lee
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
9.3
A famous fight in northern France in 1415 where English soldiers beat a larger French army
1
4.9
A 1066 battle where William the Conqueror defeats King Harold II and begins Norman rule in England
1
6.9
A major sea battle in 1805 off Spain where Nelson's British navy defeated the French and Spanish fleets
1
5.3
An important sea battle in World War II where American ships defeated a Japanese fleet near Midway in June 1942
1
7.3
A major 1864 Civil War battle in which Union forces captured and burned much of Atlanta
1
4.7
An early battle of the American Revolution near Boston in which the British won but suffered heavy losses
A major 1863 Civil War battle where Lee's Southern army defeats Hooker's Northern army
1
7.5
A major 1942 World War II battle in North Africa where Allied forces defeated German and Italian armies
1
7.8
A major fight in World War II from 1942 to 1943 when American forces took Guadalcanal back from Japan
1
6.5
A 1945 World War II battle where American forces took Iwo Jima from Japanese soldiers after heavy fighting
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
4.8
An 1836 fight in Texas when Mexican forces attacked the Alamo and killed the people defending it
1
7.2
A sea battle in May 1942 fought only by planes from aircraft carriers that stops a Japanese advance
1
7.4
Major World War I battle in northwest France where Allied forces defeat the German army in 1918
1
6.9
A 1876 battle in Montana where United States soldiers led by Custer lose to Sioux and Cheyenne warriors
1
7.9
A major 1778 battle in New Jersey during the American Revolution that ended with the British leaving
1
9.4
A major battle in 42 BC near Philippi where Octavian and Mark Antony defeated Brutus and Cassius
1
7.8
A World War I battle near Ypres where Germans first used poison gas on a large scale
1
8.2
A major World War I battle in 1916 near Verdun, France between French and German armies
Octavian wins a sea battle in 31 BC against Antony and Cleopatra, starting the Roman Empire
A major 1805 battle where Napoleon's French army defeated Russian and Austrian armies
A 1314 battle near Stirling where Robert the Bruce's Scottish army beat the English and made Scotland independent
A World War II battle where Japanese forces defeated American and Filipino troops on the Bataan peninsula in the Philippines
A major 1704 battle in which the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene defeated the French
A major 1812 battle near Borodino between Napoleon's army and Russian forces with heavy losses
An important 1485 battle in England where Richard III dies and Henry Tudor becomes king
A battle in 937 when King Athelstan defeated Scots and Vikings and helped make England the main power in Britain
A major 1847 battle in northern Mexico where US forces led by Zachary Taylor defeat Santa Anna's army
A major fight near Chaeronea, either in 338 BC when Philip II won, or in 86 BC when Sulla won
An important battle during the Mexican-American War in 1847 when the American army defeated Mexican soldiers near Mexico City
A major 1863 American Civil War battle where Union forces defeat the Confederate army
A major 1863 Civil War battle where Confederate forces defeat Union troops
A battle in the Korean War in November 1950 when Chinese troops push back United Nations forces
A battle during the American Revolutionary War in 1781 where American forces led by Daniel Morgan defeated the British
A battle in February 1944 when American forces captured the Japanese-held atoll of Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands
A 1513 battle in northern England where the English army defeated the Scots and their king died
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.