Definitions

fought

[fawt] / fɔt /

VERB

engage in physical encounter

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attack battle challenge clash meet protect resist

STRONG

altercate assault bicker box brawl buck contend dispute duel feud grapple joust oppugn quarrel repel rowdy scrap scuffle skirmish spar strive struggle tiff tilt traverse tug tussle war withstand wrangle wrestle

WEAK

bandy with bear arms brush with carry on war cross swords do battle exchange blows flare up go to war mix it up ply weapons take all comers take the field take up the gauntlet wage war

Antonyms

STRONG

agree give in make peace surrender yield

WEAK

believe support uphold

VERB

oppose action, belief

Synonyms

STRONGEST

argue combat continue engage in force maintain oppose resist support

STRONG

bicker buck conduct contest defy dispute effect endure further hassle persevere persist prosecute repel row squabble strive struggle travail traverse uphold wage withstand wrangle

WEAK

buckle down carry on exert oneself fall out hammer away lay into light into make a stand against push forward put up an argument spare no effort stand up to take on take pains tangle with toil on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agree comply ignore let go neglect surrender

STRONG

cease concur forget give in give up halt idle leave quit stop yield

WEAK

believe make peace

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bailey blew the judges away during Week 1 with his soulful rendition of “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” bringing Jelly Roll to tears in the show’s first heartfelt moment of the season.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” is a more somber affair, a growling ballad with touches of Southern soul.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

That long, determined and emotional battle has now been revisited in ITV's four-part series I Fought the Law, starring Sheridan Smith.

From BBC • Aug. 27, 2025

The 34-year-old Eurovision 2022 runner-up spoke with Reuters about how "Fought & Lost" echoed his own journey in the music industry, collaborating with his hero Brian May and his hair care routine.

From Reuters • Aug. 18, 2023

“Had it awhile, they say. Fought it hard. Thought he had it licked. But then...”

From "The Honest Truth" by Dan Gemeinhart