sparring

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 weeks of verbal sparring, the U.S. announced that it was sending Rubio to Rome later this week.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Last week, the star posted a martial arts video on Instagram in which he hit a sparring partner with a combo before saying to the camera, “I don’t age, I level up.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

The sparring lawns are usually filled with visiting patrons—some coming to the temple to pray, others coming to watch us train—but today they’re closed to the public so that we can practice in privacy.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray