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Showing results for sparring.
Definitions

sparring

[spahr-ing] / ˈspɑr ɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
fighting
Synonyms
STRONG
battling belligerent boxing brawling contending determined fencing hostile jousting martial militant skirmishing tilting warmongering wrestling
WEAK
angry argumentative bellicose combative contentious disputatious disputative ferocious hawkish jingoistic militaristic pugnacious quarrelsome ready to fight resolute scrappy truculent unbeatable under arms up in arms
Antonyms
STRONG
kind nice peaceful
WEAK
peaceloving
NOUN
boxing
Synonyms
STRONG
battle mill prelim prizefighting pugilism slugfest
WEAK
glove game the ring

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.

Still, the archbishop is hopeful that the sparring will blow over.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Itauma - the prodigy who was sparring seasoned professionals while still at school - was in wonderful form from the first bell, using his speed and variation to send Franklin backtracking.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

So use it as a sparring partner, not a ghostwriter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The singer thenducks beneath the sparring fists of boxers Xander Zayas and Emiliano Vargas.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

A few of Stannis’s knights were sparring on the far side of the yard.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin