sparred

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.

Elon Musk sparred with lawyers for a third day Thursday at his California trial against OpenAI, struggling to explain why his own for-profit AI empire differs from the one he is trying to take down.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Throughout Edward’s testimony, he and Beckworth sparred over whether Mystic had a written evacuation plan — or if it merely existed in Dick’s head.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

She sparred verbally with the established Alycia Baumgardner and thrived under the glare of the Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua card on Netflix.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

PARIS—For nearly a decade, President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron have sparred and negotiated in a hot-and-cold relationship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In the summer, male polar bears sparred the same way George and Owen did in their insult contests—for fun, and not really trying to hurt each other.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz