During my days of combat training in the mountains, I had to spar daily with my peers.
Source: tatoeba (8680838)
Spar
/spɑɹ/
Synonyms for "spar" (229 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (46)
Strong matches (69)
combatcome to blowscontendcontestcrankcross swordscrossjack yardcrosstreecrowcrowbarcut and thrustdifferdisceptdisputedolphin strikerduelexchange blowsfencefeudfight
Show 35 more words
fight a duelfightingfisticuffsfliteflying jib boomfore jackfore-skysail mastfore-skysail yardfore-topgallant mastfore-topgallant yardfore-topmastforemastforeroyal mastforeroyal yardforeyardgaffgive and takegive satisfactiongooseneckgrapplegrapple withhandspikehangerhasslehave it outhave wordshookinfightingiron crowjackjib boomjiggerjimmyjoin issuejostle
Verb(1 words)
Related words (114)
joustking postlazy jackleverlimblock hornslogomachizelower boommain-royal mastmain-royal yardmain-skysail mastmain-topgallant mastmainmastmarlinespikemastmastheadmineralmix it upmizzenmizzen-royal mast
Show 69 more words
mizzenmastmootoutriggerpeaveypedalpettifogpinch barpleadpolepolemicizepolemizeprizeprizefightprizefightingprypugilismquarrelquibblerassleringriotripping barrun a tiltsavatescramblescrapscuffleset toshadowboxingskirmishskysail yardspanker boomspanker gaffsparsspatspreaderspritsquabblestickstrivestrugglesuspendertack bumpkintake sidesthe clinchesthe fightsthe ringthrash outthrust and parrytifftilttimbertopgallant masttopgallant yardtopmasttourneytreadletreetry conclusionstusslewage warwarwhisker boomwhisker polewranglewrecking barwrestleyardyardarm
Verb(5 words)
Noun(20 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abstemious, alabaster, altercate, argue, argue.
- Sentence evidence is available for spar, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "spar".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "spar"
Keep "spar" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "spar" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "spar", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "spar" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
21 entriesShowing 16 of 21 words.
More specific
13 entriesCollocations
12 entriesboxing sparboxing sparringgaff sparintense sparringlight sparringship's sparsparring boutsparring matchsparring partnertopsail spartraining sparwooden spar
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriesSample sentences
12 total sentences available.
Would you like to spar with me?
Source: tatoeba (8680841)
If you spar with him, I'll tell you a secret about his strength.
Source: tatoeba (8680842)
Spain and the UK continue to spar over the territory.
Source: tatoeba (8904561)
Showing 4 of 12 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "spar"?
Closest matches include abstemious, alabaster, altercate, argue, argue.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "spar"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.