Meaning & use
sparring
Practice fighting or boxing using lighter blows than in a real match, used for training.
See it in a sentence
The champion spent an hour sparring with his coach before the big fight.
Their sparring in the debate club was friendly, even when the arguments got heated.
A note on using this word
Sparring can be literal, as in boxing practice, or figurative, describing a lively but good-natured argument.
Words with a similar meaning
practice fightingtraining bout
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
To box or fight using light blows as practice, or to argue playfully without real hostility.
The two comedians were sparring good-naturedly about whose hometown had better food.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sparring”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.