fight

If people do this, they try to hurt each other with their bodies or weapons.

• The two boys started fighting.
• Her grandfather fought in the war.
• They fought with their fists outside the club.

How to use it: fight with/against someone (The soldiers fought against a larger army.); fight over something (The boys fought over a stolen bicycle.)

Similar words: battle, brawl

Common phrases: fight with someone, fight against someone, fight over something, fight an enemy

If people do this, they argue or struggle because they want different things.

• We fight about money sometimes.
• The two sisters fought over the last slice.
• Several companies are fighting for the same contract.

How to use it: fight with someone about something (She fought with her brother about their inheritance.); fight for something (Both parties are fighting for control of the council.)

Similar words: argue, struggle, compete

Opposites: agree

Common phrases: fight with someone, fight over something, fight for something

To take part in or carry out a battle, war, or struggle for a cause.

• They fought a long war.
• She fought a difficult battle for justice.
• The party fought its campaign on education.

Similar words: wage, conduct

Common phrases: fight a battle, fight a war, fight a campaign

An event in which people try to hurt each other with their bodies or weapons.

• A fight broke out outside.
• Police stopped the fight before anyone was hurt.
• Two fights happened near the stadium last night.

How to use it: a fight with someone (He got into a fight with another passenger.)

Similar words: brawl, clash

Common phrases: a street fight, a fist fight, fight with someone, a violent fight

A strong effort to overcome opposition or achieve something difficult.

• The fight for freedom continues.
• He put up a fight to keep his job.
• Their legal fight ended last week.

How to use it: a fight for something (Their fight for equal pay lasted years.); a fight against something (She joined the fight against poverty.)

Similar words: struggle, battle

Common phrases: fight for something, fight against something, put up a fight