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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dogfight
This year, Boeing advanced this collaboration by integrating Red 6’s Augmented Reality Tactical Airborne System into its T-7A Red Hawk, intensifying the realism of training scenarios and simulating complex aerial dogfights.
—
Anisha Sircar, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
The Leafs are now in a dogfight for home ice advantage.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Victor Kristiansen, January 2023 Similar to Faes, Kristiansen only knows a relegation dogfight in the Premier League after joining midway through the disastrous 2022-23 season.
—Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The Knicks entered Thursday’s matchup against the Bulls as 12.5-point favorites but — without OG Anunoby (foot) and Josh Hart (knee) — found themselves in a dogfight against one of the fastest-playing teams in all of basketball.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Anisha Sircar, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
The Leafs are now in a dogfight for home ice advantage.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Victor Kristiansen, January 2023 Similar to Faes, Kristiansen only knows a relegation dogfight in the Premier League after joining midway through the disastrous 2022-23 season.
—Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The Knicks entered Thursday’s matchup against the Bulls as 12.5-point favorites but — without OG Anunoby (foot) and Josh Hart (knee) — found themselves in a dogfight against one of the fastest-playing teams in all of basketball.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogfight
Noun
-
What has endured and evolved, however, is a fierce rivalry in an event that is now huge business, watched by up to 250,000 in person, millions more on television (the races are being screened live on BBC One) and sponsored by French luxury brand Chanel, no less.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
-
While known for his exceptional mic skills, Punk also consistently delivered in-ring performances, with his rivalry against John Cena and Rey Mysterio producing some of his most iconic bouts.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Rather, Awuah-Darko wants his story to reach people, whether through Instagram or this article, who feel alone in their battles, even if that comes with backlash.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Mathieu van der Poel won a historic third successive Paris-Roubaix on Sunday after a compelling battle with Tadej Pogacar on the cobbled roads of northern France.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The show is partially set before the events of Revenge of the Sith, which ends with Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader after being severely injured in a lightsaber duel with Obi-Wan.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The 36-year-old deGrom, who also remains in that conversation even on the backside of his career, was almost as good in Friday’s pitcher’s duel.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The major driver for the decline in coal use is the economic competition with cheaper and cleaner fuels, such as natural gas and renewables, Ryna Cui, research director for the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland, told ABC News.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
That also plays out of competition in Cannes Premiere.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Russia is very adept at what is known as hybrid warfare, a term that broadly refers to tactics designed to undermine or destabilize opponents, but falling short of open conflict.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
So ingrained is the fixation with speed that generations of U.S. military commanders have learned to shudder at the mention of attritional warfare, embracing decisive maneuver as the route to quick victories.—
Lawrence D. Freedman,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Young’s struggles against the Heat continued early in Friday’s contest, scoring 14 points while shooting just 3 of 14 from the field and 1 of 5 on threes through the first three quarters.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Keith and Mark Newhouse of Newhouse Creative Group understand these struggles firsthand.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Royals celebrate Easter: King Charles and Queen Camilla step out with family On April 17, the king used his annual Easter message to reflect on war, human suffering and the heroism of those who risk their lives to help others.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
At the auction last week, the Coper pot was the subject of a 10-minute bidding war between individuals in London, Denmark and New York, per Artnet’s Jo Lawson-Tancred.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
During the confrontation, the two men were shot, and both died on scene, officers said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogfight. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share