sparring

At the very least, he would make a thoughtful and high-minded sparring partner for Clinton in the debates that lie ahead.

Yet for all the ideological sparring, the campaign may be decided by something far less exotic: geography.

However, occasional verbal sparring is not the only opposition they face.

Variety stated that “Branagh and Thompson bring appealing intelligence and verbal snap to their ongoing sparring.”

Johansson needed a sparring partner, and a young, brash man, just a year out of the amateurs, volunteered.

After which conversational sparring they fell back upon the little commonplaces of the moment.

It was a terrific struggle; not the skillful sparring of trained fighters, but the rough and tumble battling of primitive giants.

He plied his companions with questions, sparring for more time.

"'Twas this way," said Mr. Hennessy, sparring at Mr. Dooley.

In fact it was more of a wrestling than a sparring match,—a test of strength, prowess, agility.