duel
1 of 2noun
du·el ˈdü-əl 
also ˈdyü-
1
: a combat between two persons
specifically : a formal combat with weapons fought between two persons in the presence of witnesses
2
: a conflict between antagonistic persons, ideas, or forces
also : a hard-fought contest between two opponents
duel
2 of 2verb
dueled or duelled; dueling or duelling
intransitive verb
: to fight a duel
transitive verb
: to encounter (an opponent) in a duel
dueler noun
or dueller
duelist noun
or duellist
ˈd(y)ü-ə-list
Synonyms
Noun
- ball game
- battle
- combat
- competition
- conflict
- confrontation
- contention
- contest
- dogfight
- face-off
- grapple
- match
- rivalry
- strife
- struggle
- sweepstakes
- sweep-stake
- tug-of-war
- war
- warfare
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun They engaged in a duel of wits. a duel for the title of captain of the team Verb He accepted the challenge to duel. Legislators dueled over the tax increases. The two runners dueled for the lead.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2022 The fatal duel marks the first time that scientists have observed the snake’s eating habits, scientist said. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 From Sarah Valenzuela: After two games in the spotlight, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge got lost early in the pitching duel between Angels starter Patrick Sandoval and New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole on Wednesday in Anaheim. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 Grissom's homer came after Peña went deep for Houston in the top half of the inning to break up the scoreless duel. Paul Newberry, ajc, 21 Aug. 2022 Grissom's homer came after Peña went deep for Houston in the top half of the inning to break up the scoreless duel. Paul Newberry, Chron, 20 Aug. 2022 The duel brought more attention to Arizona, a battleground state that political observers say either party could win in November. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 4 Aug. 2022 Sunday’s duel will be interesting indeed and just maybe transcendent. New York Times, 8 July 2022 With no Republican candidate filed, the duel between Jones and Wilson may determine who represents the district. Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2022 Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2022 In the decade that followed, partisans within both groups would duel over strategy, tactics and even basic beliefs, but rarely, if ever, looked to Zawahiri for guidance or resolution of their disputes. Joby Warrick, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2022 The progressive majority on the board and the mayor and her allies are set to duel on the Nov. 8 ballot with competing measures to streamline affordable housing. Mallory Moench, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 July 2022 All that while Hop and Joyce (Winona Ryder) duel devious Demogorgons. Darren Franich, EW.com, 5 July 2022 And the final episode delivered, with McGregor and Christensen facing off in a reprise of their iconic Mustafar duel from 2005's Revenge of the Sith. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 22 June 2022 There was the 2021 softball semistate game between Roncalli and Mt. Vernon, which had been the ultimate pitchers duel for nine innings. Matthew Vantryon, The Indianapolis Star, 3 June 2022 Redmond and Neal expected to duel again in the 200 meters an hour later, but Redmond was a late scratch and Neal took advantage, prevailing in a lifetime best 23.68 to propel the Cavaliers into first in the team standings. Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2022 The 24-year-old Brieske and the 34-year-old Kershaw are scheduled to duel Saturday in the second of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 29 Apr. 2022 See More
Noun
The duel between Foley and McClean was the first time any Irishman made the championship final of a U.S. amateur championship. Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 17 Sep. 2022 The fatal duel marks the first time that scientists have observed the snake’s eating habits, scientist said. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 From Sarah Valenzuela: After two games in the spotlight, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge got lost early in the pitching duel between Angels starter Patrick Sandoval and New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole on Wednesday in Anaheim. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 Grissom's homer came after Peña went deep for Houston in the top half of the inning to break up the scoreless duel. Paul Newberry, ajc, 21 Aug. 2022 Grissom's homer came after Peña went deep for Houston in the top half of the inning to break up the scoreless duel. Paul Newberry, Chron, 20 Aug. 2022 The duel brought more attention to Arizona, a battleground state that political observers say either party could win in November. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 4 Aug. 2022 Sunday’s duel will be interesting indeed and just maybe transcendent. New York Times, 8 July 2022 With no Republican candidate filed, the duel between Jones and Wilson may determine who represents the district. Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2022 Verb
The talented quarterbacks duel Thursday at Arrowhead Stadium. Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2022 In the decade that followed, partisans within both groups would duel over strategy, tactics and even basic beliefs, but rarely, if ever, looked to Zawahiri for guidance or resolution of their disputes. Joby Warrick, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2022 The progressive majority on the board and the mayor and her allies are set to duel on the Nov. 8 ballot with competing measures to streamline affordable housing. Mallory Moench, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 July 2022 All that while Hop and Joyce (Winona Ryder) duel devious Demogorgons. Darren Franich, EW.com, 5 July 2022 And the final episode delivered, with McGregor and Christensen facing off in a reprise of their iconic Mustafar duel from 2005's Revenge of the Sith. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 22 June 2022 There was the 2021 softball semistate game between Roncalli and Mt. Vernon, which had been the ultimate pitchers duel for nine innings. Matthew Vantryon, The Indianapolis Star, 3 June 2022 Redmond and Neal expected to duel again in the 200 meters an hour later, but Redmond was a late scratch and Neal took advantage, prevailing in a lifetime best 23.68 to propel the Cavaliers into first in the team standings. Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2022 The 24-year-old Brieske and the 34-year-old Kershaw are scheduled to duel Saturday in the second of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 29 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Medieval Latin duellum, from Old Latin, war
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
circa 1645, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Kids Definition
duel 1 of 2
noun
du·el ˈdü-əl
ˈdyü-
1
: a fight between two persons especially that is fought by agreement with weapons in front of other people
2
: a contest between two opponents The ball game turned into a pitching duel.
duel
2 of 2verb
dueled or duelled; dueling or duelling
: to take part in an agreed-upon fight with weapons
dueling
verb
variants or duelling
as in fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- fighting
- contending
- battling
- combating
- wrestling
- tussling
- grappling
- scuffling
- rassling
- sparring
- combatting
- slugging
- punching
- bashing
- hitting
- boxing
- brawling
- battering
- buffeting
- skirmishing
- clashing (with)
- striking
- beating
- warring (against)