Fighting is the act of using physical force or weapons to try to hurt, defeat, or resist someone. It can also mean strongly struggling against problems or unfair situations.
It comes from Old English “feohtan” for “to fight,” with “-ing” added to show an ongoing action. The basic idea of struggle has stayed steady for centuries.
We talk about “fighting a disease” or “fighting for your rights,” turning a physical clash into a metaphorical battle. This shows how deeply we imagine life as a series of struggles, even when no punches are thrown.
"Fighting" has been coded as a masculine activity in many cultures, linked to ideals of manhood and valor, while women’s participation in physical and political struggles has been under-recognized or stigmatized. The term also appears in phrases like "fighting spirit" that may carry gendered expectations.
Use "fighting" neutrally for actions or advocacy across genders and avoid implying that fighting, whether literal or metaphorical, is more natural or appropriate for one gender.
["struggling","resisting","advocating","competing"]
In discussions of wars, social movements, and labor struggles, explicitly include women and gender-diverse people who were fighting—on front lines, in organizing roles, and in support networks.
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