View synonyms for

sparring

[spahr-ing]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act or process of boxing with light blows, or of training by practicing the motions of attack and defense.
I’m heading to the boxing gym to get in some sparring.
Wu shu as a sport takes mainly two forms: the dancelike practice of the routine exercise, and the sparring in duels.
the act or process of disputing or bandying words.
After some final sparring between opposing counsel, the prosecution made its closing argument.
the act of striking or attacking with the feet or spurs, as fighting roosters do.
To prevent injury during sparring, they even put foam rubber covers on the spurs of their gamecocks.

adjective

boxing with light blows, or practicing boxing motions of attack and defense.
The place was packed with spectators cheering for the sparring boxers in the ring.
disputing or bandying words.
The crew is a mix of personalities, from the friendly pilot to the constantly sparring pair of engineers who keep the ship running.
striking or attacking with the feet or spurs, as gamecocks do.
This vintage table decoration features a pair of sparring roosters made of polished metal.

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of sparring¹

First recorded in 1625–35; spar ² ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses; spar ² ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"I was doing loads of sports at the time. But when I started sparring at about nine I just fell in love with it," he says.

From

Bass is now sparring with the president and his administration at a perilous moment for her city and possibly for democracy.

From

The messages showed the supervisor sparring with Bass during the fires.

From

The pair have remained friends since first sparring several years ago and Allen kept his celebrations on hold until Fisher was back on his feet.

From

He retired but had surgery to reduce swelling on his brain after being injured in a sparring session later that year, before waking from a second coma.

From

sparoid sparring partner

Browse