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.

The book club enjoys sparring over polarizing books, but the point is always friendship.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

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

Celaena said something, to which the princess only waved a hand and strode past them and onto the sparring floor.

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas

sparring

Example Sentences

Related Words