put up a fight

VERB

argue

Synonyms

STRONGEST

contend disagree dispute quarrel quibble squabble

STRONG

altercate bandy battle bicker buck cross feud hammer hash hassle jump pettifog rehash row sass wrangle

WEAK

break with bump heads cross swords face down face off gang up on get in one's face go one-on-one hammer away hash over have at each other have at it jump on knock around lock horns mix it up pick an argument put up a struggle set to sock it to stick it to talk back

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agree concur give in

STRONG

make peace

WEAK

abstain comply harmonize ignore keep quiet keep silent overlook

VERB

combat

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cope fight oppose repel resist withstand

STRONG

battle buck clash contend contest defy dispute duel engage strive struggle traverse war

WEAK

cross swords with do battle with go up against shoot it out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

support surrender yield

STRONG

agree give in give up make peace

WEAK

compromise retreat run

VERB

dissent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

balk contradict demur differ

STRONG

argue buck decline disaccord discord divide object oppose pettifog protest refuse shy stickle vary wrangle

WEAK

break with fly in the face of put up an argument say no way say not a chance say nothing doing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept agree consent

STRONG

approve join

WEAK

assent authorize concur endorse ratify sanction

VERB

protest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affirm assert declare demonstrate fight insist maintain object oppose resist revolt

STRONG

asseverate attest avouch avow blast buck combat contend demur disagree except expostulate holler howl kick predicate profess rebel remonstrate squawk testify

WEAK

back-talk be against be displeased by constate cry out inveigh against make a stink say no sound off stage a walkout take exception thumbs-down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agree comply deny forget go along support

STRONG

accept compliment consent give in praise retreat surrender

WEAK

approve

VERB

resist

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abide combat confront continue curb defy endure forgo maintain prevent refuse repel thwart turn down

STRONG

antagonize assail assault battle bear brook buck check contend counteract countervail dispute duel forbear hinder hold persevere persist refrain remain stay stonewall suffer traverse weather

WEAK

abstain from die hard fight back hold off hold out against keep from leave alone remain firm stand up to struggle against

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK accept aid allow assist discontinue encourage help stop surrender

STRONG

abandon advance agree cease desert give in give up go indulge leave permit quit refuse reject

WEAK

comply conform go along

VERB

struggle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compete contend grapple

STRONG

battle brawl buck contest hassle romp rough-house row scrap scuffle shuffle slug smack tangle

WEAK

bump heads cross swords go up against lock horns

Antonyms

STRONG

agree concur make peace

WEAK

idle laze rest surrender yield

VERB

tussle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

scuffle tangle wrestle

STRONG

battle box brawl conflict contest fight grapple hassle romp rough-house row scrap

WEAK

bump heads go up against lock horns

Antonyms

STRONG

agree concur harmonize make peace

VERB

wrangle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bicker disagree quarrel quibble squabble tangle

STRONG

altercate brawl contend dispute hassle row scrap spat tiff

WEAK

bump heads cross swords fall out have at it have words lock horns pick a bone take on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agree concur

STRONG

give in 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.

Harry Manenti, who made 37, and Ben Manenti attempted to put up a fight but after their departure the batting fell apart in 16.4 overs.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Look for Matthew Stafford to get back on track, although the Cardinals will put up a fight.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

However, such a strategy carries tremendous risks and could potentially backfire if troops rally around the flag and put up a fight.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

"They've amassed these points by winning when it's hard, winning when it's ugly, winning when the opposition have put up a fight," adds Atkinson.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2025

I was still concerned the principal would figure out I had never finished eleventh grade, so I didn't put up a fight.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos

put up a fight

Example Sentences

Related Words