Words / B2

BATL/ˈbætl/

A battle is a fight between armies, or a long struggle against something difficult: a battle with illness, a legal battle. Fight is everyday and broader; struggle stresses effort over time. As a verb, to battle can mean fight hard (battle to finish). Battlefield is literal. In speech, a struggle or a fight is more natural unless you mean actual war.

Meaning

A fight between armies, or a long struggle against something.

Examples

• “She faced a battle with her fear of speaking.”
• “It was a battle to keep the library open on Saturdays.”
• “She won a long battle with the insurance company.”

Good to know

a battle with / against + problem. Everyday: fight / struggle. Also literal: a military fight.

Near in meaning

struggle

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