battle line

noun

1
: a line along which a battle is fought
2
: a line defining the positions of opposing groups in a conflict or controversy
usually used in plural
battle lines were drawn over economic policies

Examples of battle line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Sidelined was any talk of limits on Western assistance to Ukraine, any worries about the risk of nuclear escalation, and above all any compromise or negotiation regarding what has been an intractable war of position for years: the battle lines have not budged enormously since November 2022. Samuel Moyn, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025 The battle lines pit conservative spending hawks — who want to mitigate the deficit impact of the package — against vulnerable moderates fighting to preserve federal health care benefits and secure a controversial tax break in high-income districts. Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 20 May 2025 Medicaid The House Republican conference is reportedly fractured and the battle lines are becoming more pronounced. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 8 May 2025 Here’s how the battle lines are being drawn, and why key Republicans are defecting from the party line. Andrew R. Chow, Time, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for battle line

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of battle line was in 1751

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Cite this Entry

“Battle line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battle%20line. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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