sparring

[ spahr-ing ]

/ ˈspɑr ɪŋ /

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noun

the act or process of boxing with light blows, or of training by practicing the motions of attack and defense: I’m heading to the boxing gym to get in some sparring.Wu shu as a sport takes mainly two forms: the dancelike practice of the routine exercise, and the sparring in duels.

the act or process of disputing or bandying words: After some final sparring between opposing counsel, the prosecution made its closing argument.

the act of striking or attacking with the feet or spurs, as fighting roosters do: To prevent injury during sparring, they even put foam rubber covers on the spurs of their gamecocks.

adjective

boxing with light blows, or practicing boxing motions of attack and defense: The place was packed with spectators cheering for the sparring boxers in the ring.

disputing or bandying words: The crew is a mix of personalities, from the friendly pilot to the constantly sparring pair of engineers who keep the ship running.

striking or attacking with the feet or spurs, as gamecocks do: This vintage table decoration features a pair of sparring roosters made of polished metal.

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Origin of sparring

spar² + -ing¹ for the noun senses; spar² + -ing² for the adjective senses

Words nearby sparring

spark spectrum, spark transmitter, sparky, sparling, sparoid, sparring, sparring partner, sparrow, sparrowfart, sparrowgrass, sparrow hawk

How to use sparring in a sentence

At the very least, he would make a thoughtful and high-minded sparring partner for Clinton in the debates that lie ahead.
Wait a Minute, Clinton Coronators—Here Comes Jim Webb|Eleanor Clift|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet for all the ideological sparring, the campaign may be decided by something far less exotic: geography.
D-Day for Milton Wolf, Obama’s Tea Party Cousin, in Kansas Senate Primary|Ben Jacobs|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, occasional verbal sparring is not the only opposition they face.
The Tiananmen Square Museum That’s Shocking China’s Tourists|Brendon Hong|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Variety stated that “Branagh and Thompson bring appealing intelligence and verbal snap to their ongoing sparring.”
Shakespeare’s Movie Magic|Marina Watts, Malcolm Jones|April 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Johansson needed a sparring partner, and a young, brash man, just a year out of the amateurs, volunteered.
The Stacks: Harold Conrad Was Many Things, But He Was Never, Ever Dull|Mark Jacobson|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After which conversational sparring they fell back upon the little commonplaces of the moment.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower
It was a terrific struggle; not the skillful sparring of trained fighters, but the rough and tumble battling of primitive giants.
The Shepherd of the Hills|Harold Bell Wright
He plied his companions with questions, sparring for more time.
Frank Merriwell's Pursuit|Burt L. Standish
"'Twas this way," said Mr. Hennessy, sparring at Mr. Dooley.
Mr. Dooley in Peace and in War|Finley Peter Dunne
In fact it was more of a wrestling than a sparring match,—a test of strength, prowess, agility.
Unveiling a Parallel|Alice Ilgenfritz Jones and Ella Marchant

sparring

Origin of sparring

Words nearby sparring

Words related to sparring

How to use sparring in a sentence