fight
1 of 2verb
ˈfīt 
fought ˈfȯt ; fighting
; fighting intransitive verb
1
a
: to contend in battle or physical combat
especially : to strive to overcome a person by blows or weapons
The soldiers fought bravely.
b
: to engage in boxing
He will fight for the heavyweight title next month.
2
: to put forth a determined effort
They were fighting to stay awake.
transitive verb
1
a(1)
: to contend against in or as if in battle or physical combat
fought the invaders of his homeland
was fighting a forest fire
(2)
: to box against in the ring
fought several strong contenders
b(1)
: to attempt to prevent the success or effectiveness of
the company fought the takeover attempt
(2)
: to oppose the passage or development of
fight a bill in Congress
2
a
: wage, carry on
fight a battle
b
: to take part in (a boxing match or similar contest)
3
: to struggle to endure or surmount
fight a cold
is fighting cancer
4
a
: to gain by struggle
fights his way through
b
: to resolve by struggle
fought out their differences in court
5
a
: to manage (a ship) in a battle or storm
b
: to cause to struggle or contend
c
: to manage in an unnecessarily rough or awkward manner
fight
2 of 2noun
1
a
: a hostile encounter : battle, combat
b
: a boxing match
c
: a verbal disagreement : argument
2
: a struggle for a goal or an objective
a fight for justice
3
: strength or disposition for fighting : pugnacity
still full of fight
Synonyms
Verb
- battle
- clash (with)
- combat
- scrimmage (with)
- skirmish (with)
- war (against)
Noun
- battle
- clash
- combat
- conflict
- contest
- dustup
- fracas
- fray
- hassle
- scrap
- scrimmage
- scrum
- scuffle
- skirmish
- struggle
- tussle
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb When he was young he was always fighting. He fought like a tiger. The U.S. and Germany fought in World Wars I and II. They vowed to fight the invaders of their homeland. The U.S. fought Germany in World Wars I and II. He and his wife are always fighting over money. We were fighting to protect our jobs. Noun A fight broke out in the bar. When he was young he was always getting into fights. He got into another fight with his wife about money. a fight for the heavyweight title See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Steve Coogan, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 Later Monday, Biden plans to discuss how biotech can help fight cancer in remarks at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston. Harold Maass, The Week, 12 Sep. 2022 For more on how to help fight to restore a woman’s right to choose, see ELLE’s guide here. Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 6 Sep. 2022 The course draws union workers and others eager to work on future wind farms that the Biden administration wants to dot U.S. coastlines to help fight climate change. Jennifer Mcdermott, ajc, 4 Sep. 2022 The legislation includes a historic $370 billion in tax incentives and other programs to help fight climate change. Ari Natter, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 Adequate amounts of vitamin D is needed to help fight off disease-causing germs like viruses, bacteria and parasites. Valerie Agyeman, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 To help fight stubborn acne, Neutrogena recently launched two new acne-fighting products: Stubborn Texture Liquid Exfoliating Treatment and Stubborn Acne Ultra-Thin Blemish Patches. Manee Magee, SELF, 31 Aug. 2022 The Pentagon prepares to send more weapons to Ukraine to help fight Russian troops at closer ranges. Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2022 Lance Pugmire, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2022 The Republican leaders of the Arizona Legislature will not try to defend a new law limiting up-close filming of police that has been blocked by a federal judge, a decision that essentially ends the fight over the contentious proposal. Bob Christie, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Sep. 2022 All which makes tonight’s fight, between Álvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin in Las Vegas, all the more crucial for Álvarez. Sean Gregory, Time, 17 Sep. 2022 The fight was moved from May to September, and Álvarez was banned for six months. Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2022 The movie follows Janie's determined fight to rescue her daughter. Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2022 Though getting hangry would probably be good fodder for those fight scenes. Clarissa Cruz, EW.com, 17 Sep. 2022 But, the prosecutor continued, Caffey was the aggressor and never tried to withdraw from the fight or give up, and Swagerty did not Tase, pepper spray or strike Caffey. Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2022 The scorched-earth fight over a shrinking supply of water in Western states is playing out in key midterm races along the depleted Colorado River. Libby Cathey, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2022 See More
Verb
All future profits will be aimed to help fight the climate crisis. Steve Coogan, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 Later Monday, Biden plans to discuss how biotech can help fight cancer in remarks at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston. Harold Maass, The Week, 12 Sep. 2022 For more on how to help fight to restore a woman’s right to choose, see ELLE’s guide here. Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 6 Sep. 2022 The course draws union workers and others eager to work on future wind farms that the Biden administration wants to dot U.S. coastlines to help fight climate change. Jennifer Mcdermott, ajc, 4 Sep. 2022 The legislation includes a historic $370 billion in tax incentives and other programs to help fight climate change. Ari Natter, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 Adequate amounts of vitamin D is needed to help fight off disease-causing germs like viruses, bacteria and parasites. Valerie Agyeman, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 To help fight stubborn acne, Neutrogena recently launched two new acne-fighting products: Stubborn Texture Liquid Exfoliating Treatment and Stubborn Acne Ultra-Thin Blemish Patches. Manee Magee, SELF, 31 Aug. 2022 The Pentagon prepares to send more weapons to Ukraine to help fight Russian troops at closer ranges. Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2022 Noun
Here's how the fight played out from the perspective of USA TODAY Sports' Lance Pugmire. Lance Pugmire, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2022 The Republican leaders of the Arizona Legislature will not try to defend a new law limiting up-close filming of police that has been blocked by a federal judge, a decision that essentially ends the fight over the contentious proposal. Bob Christie, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Sep. 2022 All which makes tonight’s fight, between Álvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin in Las Vegas, all the more crucial for Álvarez. Sean Gregory, Time, 17 Sep. 2022 The fight was moved from May to September, and Álvarez was banned for six months. Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2022 The movie follows Janie's determined fight to rescue her daughter. Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2022 Though getting hangry would probably be good fodder for those fight scenes. Clarissa Cruz, EW.com, 17 Sep. 2022 But, the prosecutor continued, Caffey was the aggressor and never tried to withdraw from the fight or give up, and Swagerty did not Tase, pepper spray or strike Caffey. Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2022 The scorched-earth fight over a shrinking supply of water in Western states is playing out in key midterm races along the depleted Colorado River. Libby Cathey, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Old English feohtan; akin to Old High German fehtan to fight and perhaps to Latin pectere to comb — more at pectinate
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing fight
Kids Definition
fight 1 of 2
verb
ˈfīt
fought
ˈfȯt
; fighting 1
: to struggle in battle or in physical combat
2
: to argue angrily : quarrel
3
: to try hard
She fought to stay awake.
4
: to struggle against
fight discrimination
fight
2 of 2noun
1
: a meeting in battle or in physical combat
2
: quarrel entry 1 sense 1
3
: strength or desire for fighting
After being wrongly blamed, I was full of fight.
fight 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to battle
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict a proud people who have fiercely fought all invaders of their homeland Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- battle
- combat
- duel
- beat
- wrestle
- punch
- hit
- strike
- knock
- joust
- skirmish (with)
- clash (with)
- brawl
- slap
- war (against)
- scrimmage (with)
- pound
- smack
- slug
- box
- tussle
- spar
- whack
- bang
- hammer
- clobber
- bludgeon
- smite
- bat
- belt
- buffet
- scuffle
- bop
- batter
- bash
- swipe
- thump
- slam
- swat
- whale
- sock
- slog
- paste
- wallop
- thwack
- bump
- grapple
- collide
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- submit
- give up
- surrender
2
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate a civil rights leader who dedicated his life to fighting prejudice Synonyms & Similar Words
- oppose
- combat
- battle
- counter
- resist
- confront
- withstand
- thwart
- oppugn
- contend (with)
- face
- checkmate
- foil
- frustrate
- baffle
- defy
- meet
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- promote
- encourage
- advance
- suffer
- forward
- cultivate
- foster
- endure
- further
- bear
- support
- nurture
- advocate
- abide
- nourish
- uphold
- back
- endorse
- champion
- indorse
3
as in to compete
to engage in a contest everyone on that street seems to be fighting to see who can create the gaudiest holiday lighting display Synonyms & Similar Words
- compete
- battle
- contend
- race
- rival
- vie
- challenge
- play
- face off
- engage
- maneuver
- jockey
- work
- try out
- jostle
- train
- go out
4
as in to bicker
to express different opinions about something often angrily if you kids continue to fight, I'm turning this car around and we're heading back home! Synonyms & Similar Words
- bicker
- argue
- quarrel
- brawl
- clash
- spat
- squabble
- dispute
- debate
- wrangle
- scrap
- fall out
- row
- tiff
- discuss
- controvert
- lock horns
- butt heads
- contest
- brabble
- argufy
- hassle
- quibble
- altercate
- challenge
- jar
- mix it up
- bandy words
- contend
- dare
- protest
- kick
- tangle
- defy
- object
- nitpick
- fuss
- cavil
- consider
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- accept
- coexist
- get along
- agree
- concur
- consent
- assent
5
as in to resist
to refuse to give in to I tried to fight the temptation to eat another cookie—and lost Synonyms & Similar Words
- resist
- oppose
- withstand
- combat
- battle
- repel
- buck
- contest
- defy
- counter
- thwart
- challenge
- dispute
- stem
- hinder
- balk
- foil
- contradict
- frustrate
- check
- obstruct
- contend (with)
- baffle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- submit (to)
- succumb (to)
- yield (to)
- bow (to)
- surrender (to)
- capitulate (to)
- stoop (to)
- give in (to)
- knuckle under (to)
fight
2 of 2noun
1
as in battle
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups a troubled youth who got into one fight after another Synonyms & Similar Words
- battle
- skirmish
- clash
- struggle
- tussle
- combat
- brawl
- scuffle
- fray
- contest
- confrontation
- conflict
- duel
- altercation
- dustup
- scrimmage
- fracas
- scrap
- quarrel
- scrum
- blows
- dispute
- pitched battle
- melee
- spat
- fistfight
- hassle
- battle royal
- fisticuffs
- slugfest
- squabble
- joust
- affray
- tangle
- donnybrook
- broil
- row
- ruckus
- grapple
- punch-up
- wrangle
- mêlée
- controversy
- catfight
- argument
- rough-and-tumble
- tiff
- ruction
- misunderstanding
- cross fire
- disagreement
- contretemps
- face-off
- mix-up
- free-for-all
- punch-out
- handgrips
- falling-out
- kickup
- argle-bargle
- argy-bargy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- truce
2
as in struggle
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective the mayoral candidate pledged to lead a successful fight to improve the city's schools Synonyms & Similar Words
- battle
- struggle
- effort
- fray
- attempt
- try
- throes
- scrabble
- war
- grind
- combat
- work
- pains
- endeavor
- toil
- exertion
- warfare
- trouble
- tussle
- conflict
- strife
- contest
- labor
- sweat
- drudgery
- essay
- travail
3
as in aggression
an inclination to fight or quarrel a tough, streetwise kid with a lot of fight in him Synonyms & Similar Words
- aggression
- aggressiveness
- assaultiveness
- hostility
- defiance
- combativeness
- belligerence
- pugnacity
- belligerency
- disputatiousness
- militance
- militancy
- contentiousness
- quarrelsomeness
- feistiness
- scrappiness
- militantness
- bellicosity
- truculence
- chip on one's shoulder
- antagonism
- irritableness
- fierceness
- imperialism
- irritability
- militarism
- unfriendliness
- captiousness
- testiness
- jingoism
- hyperaggressiveness
- fractiousness
- disagreeableness
- crossness
- rudeness
- crankiness
- waspishness
- peevishness
- grumpiness
- biliousness
- pettishness
- irascibleness
- petulance
- surliness
- grouchiness
- fretfulness
- querulousness
- huffiness
- acidity
- orneriness
- irascibility
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pacifism
- nonaggression
- gentleness
- benevolence
- antiaggression
- sociability
- friendliness
- antimilitarism
- pleasantness
- graciousness
- amicability
- geniality
- complaisance
- affability
- amiability
- anti-imperialism
- cordiality
- mildness
- amenability
- kindliness
- placability
4
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the couple have their share of fights, but they quickly get over them Synonyms & Similar Words
- dispute
- quarrel
- altercation
- bicker
- argument
- brawl
- disagreement
- controversy
- skirmish
- squabble
- spat
- misunderstanding
- row
- debate
- feud
- wrangle
- clash
- battle royal
- disputation
- donnybrook
- imbroglio
- tussle
- cross fire
- tiff
- contretemps
- scrap
- attack
- difference
- set-to
- falling-out
- rhubarb
- protest
- tangle
- kickup
- argle-bargle
- hassle
- contention
- argy-bargy
- fisticuffs
- melee
- vendetta
- run-in
- catfight
- objection
- protestation
- dissension
- dissention
- logomachy
- fuss
- fray
- affray
- mêlée
- fracas
- free-for-all