sparring
4
5.8
- noun
- /ˈspɑrɪŋ/
:
rifirrafe
- The two men may have gotten personal in their sparring, but neither questioned the other's assumptions about the places that matter most to Washington.
- verbal sparring
OK, intellectual sparring, an intellectual battle, a battle of wits.
- OK, intellectual sparring, an intellectual battle, a battle of wits.
Examples
-
The two politicians engaged in a heated sparring session during the debate, each trying to outmaneuver the other.
-
During their second debate, the two presidential candidates threw verbal jabs like sparring partners.
Blog text (3) -
Ms. Hall also participated in a sort of verbal sparring with some of the students, most of them male.
Academic text (2014) -
The constant verbal sparring between Mumbai and New Delhi comes as no surprise to residents of either city.
Blog text (14) -
He enjoyed intellectual sparring matches and debating with the teacher.
Academic text (2003) -
Because Shulie had an unerring ability to cut right to the chase, she was always a stimulating sparring partner.
Blog text (27) -
There is definitely a pro-Liz group and an anti-Liz group of regular contributors who seem to enjoy their sparring matches.
Blog text (12) -
The hearings have done little to resolve the partisan sparring over the administration's response, with Republicans strongly hinting at a larger scandal and possible cover-up.
Blog text (31) -
Their verbal sparring continued for hours, as they argued over the best approach to the new policy.
-
As friends, they enjoyed playful sparring on various topics, always respecting each other's opinions.
Synonyms
∞
2.0
A formal discussion where opposing sides argue about a topic
675
2.4
A strong argument between people or groups, often public
617
2.3
A disagreement between people that is often angry
101
4.3
A final meeting where two sides face each other to settle a dispute
74
6.0
A noisy argument between people
61
2.0
An angry argument between people who are usually friendly
52
6.8
A noisy argument between people often in public
41
5.2
An angry argument with someone
34
6.5
A strong disagreement between people or groups
16
6.7
A long heated argument about a specific issue
15
6.2
A long angry argument in public between opposing groups
12
3.5
An argument with strong feelings and different opinions
11
7.0
A close, fierce fight between fighter planes or in a contest
10
5.3
A tense meeting between two people or groups on opposite sides
7
3.8
A noisy argument in which people try to shout louder than each other
7
3.5
A strong angry disagreement between people with loud voices
4
6.1
A contest where people try to outsmart each other, for example in a debate or game
2
2.4
A time when people strongly disagree and speak loudly
1
7.5
A public argument where people attack each other's ideas
1
4.2
A quick back-and-forth argument between people to test ideas
1
9.9
A noisy argument between people about a small issue
1
6.2
A short angry argument between people
1
8.0
Aggressive speech meant to intimidate or dominate others
A bitter, angry argument that causes hard feelings
A very angry, petty argument with personal insults
Antonyms
Compounds
How Combative
294
4.5
617
2.3
4
5.8
- Formal
∞
2.0
∞
1.4
- Informal
9
4.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Sparring was later used as a picture: people compared arguing to a practice fight, with each person giving and taking quick verbal 'blows'. So sparring also means a heated or competitive argument where people try to gain an advantage.