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Showing results for sparring. Search instead for sparris.
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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Francesca pleaded with Mick to let her box and, aged 11, found her moment when a girl in a gym needed a sparring partner.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

The lightweights have been sparring from a distance since Tsarukyan was overlooked for the interim title shot, despite being ranked number one in the division.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 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

Ugwu felt better; this was the sparring he was used to.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie