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.

Still, the archbishop is hopeful that the sparring will blow over.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The singer thenducks beneath the sparring fists of boxers Xander Zayas and Emiliano Vargas.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 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

She clenched her jaw as Cain and Grave flew across the sparring ring, swords clanging.

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas