Phrase guide

battle of the sexes

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The persistent state of rivalry, opposition, or tension between men and women in society.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: almost always preceded by the

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Any competition between men and women.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A situation in which two people want to do different things, but do them together.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, game-theory, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: kønskamp — persistent state of opposition between men and women
  • Danish: kønskrig — persistent state of opposition between men and women
  • Catalan: guerra de sexes — any competition between males and females
  • Danish: kønskamp — any competition between males and females
  • Danish: kønskrig — any competition between males and females
  • Dutch: strijd der geslachten — any competition between males and females
  • Finnish: sukupuolten taistelu — any competition between males and females
  • German: Geschlechterkampf — any competition between males and females
  • Greek: μάχη των φύλων (máchi ton fýlon) — any competition between males and females
  • Italian: battaglia dei sessi — any competition between males and females
  • Russian: война́ поло́в (vojná polóv) — any competition between males and females
  • Russian: борьба́ поло́в (borʹbá polóv) — any competition between males and females
  • Swedish: könskamp — any competition between males and females
  • Finnish: sukupuolten taistelu — game theory
  • German: Kampf der Geschlechter — game theory
  • Italian: battaglia dei sessi — game theory
  • Turkish: cinsiyetlerin savaşı — game theory