battled with

USAGE SUMMARY

"battled with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe physical or figurative battles or conflicts that someone engages in. For example, "The brave knight battled with the dragon for hours until he finally emerged victorious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

I've battled with that.

The Guardian - Arts

I battled with myself.

The New York Times - Sports

For centuries it battled with nearby Florence.

The Economist

His wife has battled with breast cancer.

The Economist

Painfully shy, he battled with a crippling heroin addiction.

Independent

"That's something I've battled with in the past.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"He was battling with himself.

The New York Times - Sports

We will always battle with that.

The Guardian

"I like battling with Fernando.

BBC

This area battles with low, seasonal and irregular rainfall.

Environmental Systems Research

To battle with it is to battle with myself.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for conflicts that have a significant impact or duration rather than minor, momentary disagreements.

Common error

Do not use "battled with" when the goal is the object. For example, use "battled for justice" instead of "battled with justice" unless justice itself is the opponent. Use "with" to indicate the opponent or the instrument of the struggle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "battled with" functions as a transitive verb phrase in the past tense. It typically describes a person or entity engaging in a prolonged struggle against an adversary, a personal demon or a physical condition. According to Ludwig, it establishes a direct connection between the subject and the source of conflict, often implying a sense of persistence or difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Social Media

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "battled with" is a powerful linguistic tool used to denote significant struggle. As verified by Ludwig, it is widely accepted in high-level journalistic and academic writing. Whether the conflict is physical, such as "rioters who battled with police", or internal, such as an icon who "battled with heroin addiction", the phrase conveys a sense of intensity and endurance. Ludwig AI confirms that its most frequent home is in News & Media, but its presence in scientific literature regarding illness shows its formal utility. In summary, it is a robust, versatile and grammatically correct way to frame any serious conflict.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggled with

Focuses more on the difficulty or exertion rather than the direct combat aspect.

grappled with

Implies a more intimate or complex struggle, often used for intellectual or emotional issues.

wrestled with

Similar to grappled, suggesting a long-term internal or difficult process.

contended with

Suggests dealing with a challenge or competing against an obstacle.

fought against

More aggressive and implies a clear opposition or defense.

combated

A more formal and concise term often used for social issues or disease.

clashed with

Suggests a sharper, often more sudden or visible confrontation.

confronted

Emphasizes the act of facing a problem directly.

resisted

Focuses on the defensive effort to withstand a force.

dealt with

A broader, less intense alternative for managing a situation.

FAQs

How do I use "battled with" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a conflict, such as "She battled with chronic pain for years" or "The troops battled with the invading forces at the border."

What is the difference between "battled with" and "battled against"?

While often interchangeable, "battled against" emphasizes direct opposition or resistance to an enemy, while "battled with" can sometimes suggest a struggle involving the thing itself (like a disease).

Can I use "struggled with" as a synonym?

Yes, "struggled with" is a very close synonym, though it often sounds slightly less aggressive or combat-oriented than "battled with".

When should I use "grappled with" instead?

Use "grappled with" when referring to a complex decision or an abstract problem that requires significant mental or emotional effort.