dogfight
noun
dog·fight ˈdȯg-ˌfīt 
1
: a fight between dogs
broadly : a fiercely disputed contest
2
: a fight between two or more fighter planes usually at close quarters
dogfight intransitive verb
dogfighter
ˈdȯg-ˌfī-tər
noun 
Synonyms
- ball game
- battle
- combat
- competition
- conflict
- confrontation
- contention
- contest
- duel
- face-off
- grapple
- match
- rivalry
- strife
- struggle
- sweepstakes
- sweep-stake
- tug-of-war
- war
- warfare
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He was shot down in a dogfight over enemy territory. The election has turned into a real dogfight.
Recent Examples on the Web The Chicago Sky received a simple message from the Connecticut Sun in the opening game of the WNBA semifinals: This is going to be a dogfight. 
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2022 It's fortuitously timed, given the current rush of nostalgia for dogfight movies with the release of Top Gun: Maverick, but what really stand out in this carousel of photos are Baena's enormous biceps. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 5 June 2022 Bolding and Fontes are in a dogfight for the Democratic nomination. Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 Then there’s Nia Akins (1:58.82) and Sage Hurta (1:59.59), rising young pros who figure into the dogfight for second and third place. Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 22 June 2022 Australian pilot Ron Cundy, who witnessed the dogfight. Phil Davison, Washington Post, 21 May 2022 Plus, the Cardinals have the easiest second-half schedule in the NL and are in a dogfight for the NL Central Title. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2022 Lewandowski said Williams’ air battle is now known as the longest dogfight in Naval history. San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2022 We've been bombarded with this left and right divisive dogfight. David Chiu, Forbes, 10 June 2022 See More
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2022 It's fortuitously timed, given the current rush of nostalgia for dogfight movies with the release of Top Gun: Maverick, but what really stand out in this carousel of photos are Baena's enormous biceps. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 5 June 2022 Bolding and Fontes are in a dogfight for the Democratic nomination. Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 Then there’s Nia Akins (1:58.82) and Sage Hurta (1:59.59), rising young pros who figure into the dogfight for second and third place. Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 22 June 2022 Australian pilot Ron Cundy, who witnessed the dogfight. Phil Davison, Washington Post, 21 May 2022 Plus, the Cardinals have the easiest second-half schedule in the NL and are in a dogfight for the NL Central Title. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 20 July 2022 Lewandowski said Williams’ air battle is now known as the longest dogfight in Naval history. San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2022 We've been bombarded with this left and right divisive dogfight. David Chiu, Forbes, 10 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1
dogfight
noun
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the playful competition over who would get the new office turned into a real dogfight Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- rivalry
- battle
- duel
- warfare
- competition
- war
- struggle
- confrontation
- conflict
- contention
- contest
- match
- combat
- showdown
- clash
- strife
- tug-of-war
- face-off
- ball game
- sweepstakes
- sweep-stake
- debate
- grapple
- nail-biter
- collision
- disputation
- dispute
- quarrel
- horse race
- friction
- discord
- argument
- controversy
- row
- disagreement
- dissension
- wrangle
- dissention
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- harmony
- peace
- concord