Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
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.

After all that verbal sparring, promoter Frank Warren restored a little order.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

The lightweight rivals have been sparring from afar since Harper won the WBO belt in September 2024.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

And the sparring of two energy heavyweights is likely to upend markets and investments, not to mention disrupt the plans of a U.S. president who considers both nations key partners in commerce and diplomacy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026

How funny that the sitcom even featured an amalgamation of Kelly and all of her bad-faith compatriots in Leslie’s frequent sparring partner, local telejournalist Joan Callamezzo.

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2026

Now and then the tension erupted in verbal sparring.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer