fighter
person who refuses to give up
Someone who does not stop trying, even when life is very hard or they are very sick.
[someone] is (a real) fighter
- Even during chemotherapy, she stayed positive and showed everyone what a fighter she was.
- He's a fighter by nature and never lets setbacks stop him for long.
- The coach called her a real fighter for coming back after such a serious injury.
- Growing up poor made him a fighter who refuses to accept defeat.
- Doctors said his chances were low, but that little boy turned out to be a fighter.
- My grandmother is a fighter and does not give up.
- After the accident, he became a fighter and learned to walk again.
- She is a fighter and keeps working hard, even when she is tired.
- People say he is a real fighter because he never stops trying.
- The team lost, but they played like fighters until the end.
combat sports competitor
A sports person who fights in a ring or cage, like a boxer or mixed martial arts (MMA) athlete.
[someone] is a [weight class] fighter
- The young fighter won his first professional match by knockout in the second round.
- She became the first female fighter from her country to win a major MMA title.
- Both fighters were exhausted by the final round but refused to back down.
- The promoter said this could be the biggest fight of the year, featuring two undefeated fighters.
- He trains with world-class fighters at a gym in Las Vegas.
- The fighter walked into the ring.
- Two fighters faced each other before the match.
- He wants to be a professional fighter when he is older.
- The fighter hit his opponent with a strong left hand.
- Many fans waited outside to see the fighters.
military aircraft for air combat
A fast military plane that is built to fight and shoot down other planes.
a fighter [jet/plane/aircraft]
- The air force deployed several fighter jets to patrol the border.
- A squadron of modern fighters escorted the transport aircraft through the conflict zone.
- The new stealth fighter is designed to avoid detection by enemy radar.
- He trained for years before qualifying as a fighter pilot.
- Old fighter planes from the museum were restored and flown during the air show.
- A fighter jet flew over the city.
- The country bought new fighter planes.
- The pilot flies a fighter for the air force.
- Two fighters circled each other in the sky.
- The museum has an old fighter aircraft on display.
member of an armed group
Someone who uses weapons in a war or conflict, often as part of a rebel or guerrilla group, not in a regular army.
[adjective] fighters
- Rebel fighters captured several towns in the north of the country.
- Foreign fighters have joined the conflict, making it harder to reach a peace agreement.
- The government promised to disarm all fighters as part of the peace deal.
- Villagers said the fighters moved through the area late at night.
- Humanitarian groups called on all fighters to allow safe passage for civilians.
- Many fighters were seen near the border.
- The peace plan asks all fighters to stop shooting.
- Some fighters left the group and went home.
- Soldiers and fighters agreed to talk about peace.
- Civilians were afraid of the fighters in the hills.
- Base: fighter
- Plural: fighters
a lover, not a fighter
1person who avoids fighting
Used to say that someone prefers love, kindness, or peace and does not like to fight or argue.
- "I'm a lover, not a fighter," he joked when his friends invited him to boxing training.
- She describes herself as a lover, not a fighter, and always looks for a peaceful solution.
- He may be strong, but he's a lover, not a fighter.
born fighter
1naturally determined person
Someone who seems to be naturally very strong and determined, and does not give up easily.
- After seeing how quickly he recovered, the doctor called him a born fighter.
- She is a born fighter and will do whatever it takes to protect her family.
- Commentators praised the team’s captain as a born fighter who leads by example.
fighter jet
1jet-powered fighter aircraft
A fast military plane with jet engines that is built to fight and shoot down other planes.
- Several fighter jets took off from the base after the alarm sounded.
- The new fighter jet can fly at more than twice the speed of sound.
- Residents complained about the noise made by low-flying fighter jets.
fighter plane
1fighter-type military plane
A military plane that is made to fight and shoot down other planes, especially in older or historical times.
- Old fighter planes from World War II were displayed at the air show.
- He built a model of a famous British fighter plane.
- Fighter planes circled overhead as the battle began.
freedom fighter
1armed person fighting for freedom
Someone who uses weapons and fighting to try to make their country or people free from another government or army.
- The group describes its members as freedom fighters, but some countries call them terrorists.
- Many statues in the capital honor freedom fighters who died in the war of independence.
- She grew up hearing stories about her grandfather, a well-known freedom fighter.
street fighter
1person who fights in the street
Someone who fights in the street or in informal, often illegal fights, not in a normal sports match.
- He started as a street fighter before joining a professional gym.
- The movie tells the story of a young street fighter trying to escape a life of violence.
- As a former street fighter, he had learned to defend himself with anything he could find.