battle

A fight between armies or other groups.

• The battle lasted two days.
• Many soldiers died in the battle.
• They won several battles near the border.

Similar words: fight, combat

Common phrases: win a battle, lose a battle, fierce battle, major battle

A difficult effort to deal with a problem or achieve something.

• Finding a job was a battle.
• He lost his battle with cancer.
• They face a long battle to save the school.

How to use it: battle with/against something (Her battle with depression lasted years.); battle for something (Their battle for equal rights continues.)

Similar words: struggle, fight

Common phrases: battle with cancer, uphill battle, battle for control

To fight someone or try hard to overcome a difficulty.

• Firefighters battled the flames.
• The two armies battled for control of the bridge.
• She is battling a serious illness.

How to use it: battle against someone/something (The soldiers battled against a larger army.); battle for something (Two teams battled for the title.); battle to do something (Doctors battled to save her life.)

Similar words: fight, struggle

Common phrases: battle against someone, battle for control, battle the flames

Describes grass or pasture that helps farm animals grow strong and fat.

• The cattle grazed on battle grass.
• Sheep grew fat on the battle pasture.
• The farmer valued this battle meadow.

Similar words: nourishing, nutritious

Common phrases: battle grass, battle pasture

Describes land or soil in which plants grow well.

• The farm had battle soil.
• They planted wheat on battle land.
• This battle field produced a good harvest.

Similar words: fertile, fruitful

Opposites: barren

Common phrases: battle land, battle soil