battle
899
3.3
- noun
- /ˈbætəl/
- Now is the battle of good versus evil.
- an uphill battle
- a losing battle
- fight a battle
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Watch on YouTubeSo it's a constant battle with, with, with this stuff.
- So it's a constant battle with, with, with this stuff.
- So, OK, so that's sort of the battle within that.
- Initially, the outcome of the moral battle was far from certain.
- It's not exactly courageous now to fight that battle in the West, OK?
- And it's, it's always a, a battle internally over morality.
- People, people fought those those social battles, people, women couldn't vote.
- That is a big chunk of the battle that we have to fight.
- And that's the that's the battle of screen writing.
- So, you know, the battle is not one.
Examples
-
A huge part of the battle is won.
-
But this is the battle for last place, remember?
-
Are you ready for the battle of your lives?
-
Of course, getting our stuff is only half the battle.
-
Initially, the outcome of the moral battle was far from certain.
-
Although he is clearly tired, it's a battle of will over muscle.
Fiction book (1992) -
For gardens with the resources to do so, both methods are necessary tools in the battle against extinction.
Academic text (2011) -
I've been fighting a losing battle ever since she was 15.
-
The struggle to forbid the evil to mend the good, this battle, this is the greatest struggle, my brother.
-
Winning the election was a hard-fought battle that required months of campaigning.
Synonyms
417
3.2
A hard effort to do or finish something difficult
155
2.5
Strong determination and energy to keep trying in hard situations
25
6.6
A difficult task that needs a lot of effort to succeed
20
5.1
An effort that is not likely to succeed
18
5.5
A failed attempt to beat an illness or other serious problem
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 Determined
Surface Forms
Etymology
A helpful way to remember battle for a hard effort is to think of the Latin verb battuere 'to beat' and the Old French bataille. So a battle can mean a long, tired struggle to win or overcome something.