battled
v. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbætəɫd// UK //bˈætəld// bat·tled
v. to fight hard against a difficult person, situation, or illness. You use this when someone is trying very hard to overcome a big problem.
v. to struggle tenaciously against an opponent, obstacle, or adverse condition. Often used to describe prolonged efforts in medical, legal, or physical contexts.
She battled a heavy cold all week.
The fire crews battled the blaze for twelve hours before finally bringing it under control.
Throughout the late nineteenth century, local residents battled the encroaching industrial expansion to preserve the valley's natural heritage.
Usage
The verb is intransitive when followed by 'against' or 'with', but can be transitive when describing a struggle against a specific condition or opponent.