Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

abnegate: surrender (power or a position)
ace: score an ace against
ace: serve an ace against (someone)
ace: play (a hole) in one stroke
act: discharge one's duties
address: direct a question at someone
advance: obtain advantages, such as points, etc.
aggress: take the initiative and go on the offensive
aggroup: form a group or group together
aim: intend (something) to move towards a certain goal
aim: point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
ambuscade: wait in hiding to attack
ambush: hunt (quarry) by stalking and ambushing
angle: fish with a hook
ante: place one's stake
arm: prepare oneself for a military confrontation
arrest: hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
assail: attack someone physically or emotionally
assail: launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
atom-bomb: bomb with atomic weapons
atomise: strike at with firepower or bombs
avenge: take revenge for a perceived wrong
back: place a bet on
backstop: act as a backstop
bait: attack with dogs or set dogs upon
bandy: toss or strike a ball back and forth
bandy: exchange blows
barnstorm: tour the country making political speeches, giving lectures, or presenting plays
barnstorm: appear at county fairs and carnivals as a stunt flier and parachute jumper
barricade: prevent access to by barricading
barricade: block off with barricades
battle: battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
bear down: exert full strength
bear down: to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
beat: come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
beat: beat through cleverness and wit
beleaguer: surround so as to force to give up
beset: assail or attack on all sides:
best: get the better of
bet: stake on the outcome of an issue
better: surpass in excellence
bias: influence in an unfair way
bird: watch and study birds in their natural habitat
blast: use explosives on
blast: fire a shot
blaze: shoot rapidly and repeatedly
blindside: attack or hit on or from the side where the attacked person's view is obstructed
blitz: attack suddenly and without warning
blitzkrieg: fight a quick and surprising war
block off: obstruct access to
block: impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
blockade: impose a blockade on
bluff: deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand
boat-race: participate in a boat race
bomb out: make somebody homeless by destroying their houses with bombs
bomb: throw bombs at or attack with bombs
bowl: engage in the sport of bowling
brail: haul fish aboard with brails
break down: make ineffective
breast: confront bodily
brigade: form or unite into a brigade
bulldog: throw a steer by seizing the horns and twisting the neck, as in a rodeo
bulldog: attack viciously and ferociously
bully off: start a game by a face-off
bulwark: defend with a bulwark
caddie: act as a caddie and carry clubs for a player
call up: call to arms; of military personnel
campaign: run, stand, or compete for an office or a position
campaign: go on a campaign; go off to war
cannon: fire a cannon
cannon: make a cannon
cannonade: attack with cannons or artillery
capitulate: surrender under agreed conditions
carpet bomb: bomb a large area systematically and extensively
carry: cover a certain distance or advance beyond
carry: have a certain range
carry: win in an election
carry: secure the passage or adoption (of bills and motions)
carry: be successful in
cast: choose at random
castle: move the king two squares toward a rook and in the same move the rook to the square next past the king
catch: be the catcher
catch: catch up with and possibly overtake
champion: protect or fight for as a champion
charge: direct into a position for use
charm: protect through supernatural powers or charms
cheat: defeat someone through trickery or deceit
check: place into check
check: decline to initiate betting
checkmate: place an opponent's king under an attack from which it cannot escape and thus ending the game
chickenfight: fight while sitting on somebody's shoulders
chop: hit sharply
chuck up the sponge: give up in the face of defeat of lacking hope; admit defeat
circumvallate: surround with or as if with a rampart or other fortification
compete: compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
complete: complete a pass
concede: acknowledge defeat
confront: oppose, as in hostility or a competition
conquer: overcome by conquest
conscript: enroll into service compulsorily
contend: be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
convert: score (a spare)
convert: complete successfully
convert: score an extra point or points after touchdown by kicking the ball through the uprights or advancing the ball into the end zone
count out: declare the loser
counterattack: make a counterattack
countermine: destroy enemy mines with one's own mines
course: hunt with hounds
cover: be responsible for guarding an opponent in a game
cover: protect or defend (a position in a game)
cover: play a higher card than the one previously played
cover: hold within range of an aimed firearm
crab: fish for crab
cradle: run with the stick
crew: serve as a crew member on
cricket: play cricket
criticise: act as a critic
croquet: play a game in which players hit a wooden ball through a series of hoops
crossruff: trump alternately in two hands
crump: bombard with heavy shells
crusade: go on a crusade; fight a holy war
curl: play the Scottish game of curling
cut down: intercept (a player)
cut to ribbons: defeat totally
defeat: win a victory over
defend: be on the defensive; act against an attack
defend: fight against or resist strongly
defend: protect against a challenge or attack
defuse: remove the triggering device from
demilitarise: do away with the military organization and potential of
demilitarise: remove offensive capability from
demob: retire from military service
demobilise: release from military service or remove from the active list of military service
demolish: defeat soundly and humiliatingly
deploy: place troops or weapons in battle formation
develop: move into a strategically more advantageous position
develop: move one's pieces into strategically more advantageous positions
dice: play dice
die: to be on base at the end of an inning, of a player
disarm: take away the weapons from; render harmless
discharge: cause to go off
discharge: go off or discharge
discharge: release from military service
dive-bomb: bomb from a diving airplane
dogfight: engage in an aerial battle with another fighter plane
double up: stake winnings from one bet on a subsequent wager
double-team: cover with two defensive players
down: bring down or defeat (an opponent)
draft: engage somebody to enter the army
draw a bead on: aim with a gun
draw: finish a game with an equal number of points, goals, etc.
drive: (hunting) chase from cover into more open ground
drive: (hunting) search for game
drive back: force or drive back
drive in: cause a run or runner to be scored
drop: lose (a game)
drop off: retreat
drop one's serve: lose a game in which one is serving
duel: fight a duel, as over one's honor or a woman
eagle: shoot in two strokes under par
ebb: hem in fish with stakes and nets so as to prevent them from going back into the sea with the ebb
eliminate: remove from a contest or race
embed: attach to, as a journalist to a military unit when reporting on a war
emulate: compete with successfully; approach or reach equality with
encounter: contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
enlist: join the military
enter: become a participant; be involved in
equalise: compensate; make the score equal
exceed: be or do something to a greater degree
exit: lose the lead
expel: cause to flee
extend oneself: strain to the utmost
falcon: hunt with falcons
feather: turn the oar, while rowing
feather: turn the paddle; in canoeing
fence: fight with fencing swords
fence: surround with a wall in order to fortify
fend: withstand the force of something
ferret: hunt with ferrets
feud: carry out a feud
field: catch or pick up (balls) in baseball or cricket
field: play as a fielder
fight back: defend oneself
fire: start firing a weapon
firebomb: attack with incendiary bombs
fish: catch or try to catch fish or shellfish
fistfight: fight with the fists
fix: take vengeance on or get even
flyfish: fish with flies as lures
forearm: arm in advance of a confrontation
fork: place under attack with one's own pieces, of two enemy pieces
fort: station (troops) in a fort
foul: commit a foul; break the rules
foul: hit a foul ball
fowl: hunt fowl
fowl: hunt fowl in the forest
foxhunt: hunt foxes, on horseback and with dogs
fullback: play the fullback
fumble: drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder
function: perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function
fuse: equip with a fuse; provide with a fuse
fusillade: attack with fusillade
gamble: play games for money
gang: act as an organized group
garrison: station (troops) in a fort or garrison
gas: attack with gas; subject to gas fumes
get back: take revenge or even out a score
get back: get one's revenge for a wrong or an injury
get back: recover something or somebody that appeared to be lost
get over: get on top of; deal with successfully
get the best: overcome, usually through no fault or weakness of the person that is overcome
get the jump: be there first
give up: give up or agree to forgo to the power or possession of another
glide-bomb: bomb by gliding
go down: be defeated
go for: make an attempt at achieving something
go to war: commence hostilities
go: have a turn; make one's move in a game
golf: play golf
grass: shoot down, of birds
grouse: hunt grouse
guard: watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect
gun: shoot with a gun
gun down: strike down or shoot down
hack: kick on the shins
hack: kick on the arms
hamper: put at a disadvantage
handicap: attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant
harass: exhaust by attacking repeatedly
harpoon: spear with a harpoon
hawk: hunt with hawks
hit: hit the intended target or goal
hit: hit with a missile from a weapon
hit: gain points in a game
hit: make a strategic, offensive, assault against an enemy, opponent, or a target
hold: aim, point, or direct
hold off: resist and fight to a standoff
hold out: stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something
hole up: score a hole in one
home in: direct onto a point or target, especially by automatic navigational aids
homer: hit a home run
hook: secure with the foot
horse-race: compete in a horse race
hunt: search (an area) for prey
hunt: pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
hydrogen-bomb: attack with a hydrogen bomb
immobilise: make defenseless
immunise: law: grant immunity from prosecution
invade: march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation
jack: hunt with a jacklight
jockey: compete (for an advantage or a position)
jockey: ride a racehorse as a professional jockey
join battle: engage in a conflict
joust: joust against somebody in a tournament by fighting on horseback
jump: make a sudden physical attack on
jump: enter eagerly into
keep pace: maintain the same pace
keep up: maintain a required pace or level
kick: make a goal
kill oneself: strain oneself more than is healthy
kneecap: shoot in the kneecap, often done by terrorist groups as a warning
let drive: fire as from a gun
letter bomb: send an explosive to
level: aim at
levy: cause to assemble or enlist in the military
line up: take one's position before a kick-off
look out: to protect someone's interests
lose: fail to win
lurch: defeat by a lurch
machine gun: shoot with a machine gun
make peace: end hostilities
man: provide with workers
maneuver: perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense
match: set into opposition or rivalry
militarise: lend a military character to (a country), as by building up a military force
mine: lay mines
misfire: fail to fire or detonate
misplay: play wrong or in an unskillful manner
mobilise: get ready for war
mop up: defeat thoroughly
mothproof: protect from moths
net fish: fish with nets
neutralise: make incapable of military action
nose: defeat by a narrow margin
open: make the opening move
out-herod: surpass someone in cruelty or evil
outbrave: be braver than
outbrave: resist bravely
outcry: shout louder than
outdraw: draw a gun faster, or best someone in a gunfight
outfight: to fight better than; get the better of
outfox: outdo someone in trickery
outgeneral: surpass in generalship
outgrow: grow faster than
outmaneuver: defeat by more skillful maneuvering
outmarch: march longer distances and for a longer time than
outpace: surpass in speed
outplay: excel or defeat in a game
outpoint: score more points than one's opponents
outrange: have a greater range than (another gun)
outrival: be more of a rival than
outroar: roar louder than
outsail: sail faster or better than
outsell: sell more than others
outsell: be sold more often than other, similar products
outshine: attract more attention and praise than others
outweigh: be heavier than
overmaster: overcome by superior force
overprotect: protect excessively
overrun: seize the position of and defeat
overshoot: shoot beyond or over (a target)
overtrump: play a trump higher than (one previously played) to the trick
par: make a score (on a hole) equal to par
pattern-bomb: bomb in certain patterns
pelt: attack and bombard with or as if with missiles
pin: (chess) immobilize a piece
pitch: lead (a card) and establish the trump suit
place: finish second or better in a horse or dog race
place: assign to a station
place-kick: score (a goal) by making a place kick
play: employ in a game or in a specific position
play: use or move
play: shoot or hit in a particular manner
play: participate in games or sport
play: put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
play: bet or wager (money)
play: make bets
play out: play to a finish
poach: hunt illegally
point: be positionable in a specified manner
pool: join or form a pool of people
pop: fire a weapon with a loud explosive noise
press: lift weights
prevail: prove superior
promote: change a pawn for a better piece by advancing it to the eighth row, or change a checker piece for a more valuable piece by moving it to the row closest to your opponent
promote: be changed for a superior chess or checker piece
protect: use tariffs to favor domestic industry
protect: shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
pull: take sides with; align oneself with; show strong sympathy for
pump: deliver forth
put in: make an application as for a job or funding
put out: retire
quarterback: play the quarterback
rabbit: hunt rabbits
race: compete in a race
rail: fish with a handline over the rails of a boat
raise: bet more than the previous player
raise: bid (one's partner's suit) at a higher level
reach: to exert much effort or energy
rearm: arm anew
reassail: assail again
recalcitrate: show strong objection or repugnance; manifest vigorous opposition or resistance; be obstinately disobedient
referee: be a referee or umpire in a sports competition
remain down: be counted out; remain down while the referee counts to ten
remilitarise: militarize anew
replay: repeat a game against the same opponent
replay: play again
rerun: run again for office
retaliate: make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil
retire: cause to get out
revoke: fail to follow suit when able and required to do so
rise: exert oneself to meet a challenge
rival: be the rival of, be in competition with
romp: win easily
rotate: perform a job or duty on a rotating basis
rout: defeat disastrously
ruff: play a trump
rule in: include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreement with rules
run off: decide (a contest or competition) by a runoff
rush: attack suddenly
safeguard: make safe
savage: attack brutally and fiercely
scallop: fish for scallops
score: get a certain number or letter indicating quality or performance
screen: protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm
seal: hunt seals
see: match or meet
seine: fish with a seine; catch fish with a seine
serve: put the ball into play
serve: do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function
set: urge to attack someone
shame: surpass or beat by a wide margin
shark: hunt shark
sharpshoot: aim and shoot with great precision
shoot: score
shoot craps: play a game of craps
show: finish third or better in a horse or dog race
shrimp: fish for shrimp
shuttlecock: send or toss to and fro, like a shuttlecock
side: take sides for or against
sign up: join a club, an activity, etc. with the intention to join or participate
sit: serve in a specific professional capacity
skip-bomb: attack with delayed release bombs
skirmish: engage in a skirmish
skittle: play skittles
slice: hit a ball so that it causes a backspin
smash: overthrow or destroy (something considered evil or harmful)
snipe: hunt or shoot snipe
snooker: leave one's opponent unable to take a direct shot
soldier: serve as a soldier in the military
staff: serve on the staff of
staff: provide with staff
stalemate: subject to a stalemate
stand out: be stubborn in resolution or resistance
stand up: refuse to back down; remain solid under criticism or attack
start: play in the starting lineup
steal: steal a base
steamroll: overwhelm by using great force
still-fish: fish with the line and bait resting still or stationary in the water
stockade: surround with a stockade in order to fortify
storm: attack by storm; attack suddenly
strafe: attack with machine guns or cannon fire from a low-flying plane
stroke: strike a ball with a smooth blow
stroke: row at a particular rate
stump: travel through a district and make political speeches
subject: make accountable for
submarine: attack by submarine
submit: yield to the control of another
swallow: engulf and destroy
sweep: win an overwhelming victory in or on
swing: hit or aim at with a sweeping arm movement
tackle: seize and throw down an opponent player, who usually carries the ball
take: obtain by winning
take the bull by the horns: face a difficulty and grapple with it without avoiding it
take the cake: rank first; used often in a negative context
take the field: go on the playing field, of a football team
team: form a team
teargas: attack with teargas; subject to teargas fumes
tee off: strike a ball from the teeing ground at the start of a hole
test: achieve a certain score or rating on a test
tilt: charge with a tilt
torpedo: attack or hit with torpedoes
tourney: engage in a tourney
trawl: fish with trawlers
tree: chase an animal up a tree
trigger: release or pull the trigger on
troll: angle with a hook and line drawn through the water
tug: struggle in opposition
turn: direct at someone
turtle: hunt for turtles, especially as an occupation
unblock: play the cards of (a suit) so that the last trick on which a hand can follow suit will be taken by a higher card in the hand of a partner who has the remaining cards of a combined holding
underplay: play a card lower than (a held high card)
undershoot: shoot short of or below (a target)
upset: defeat suddenly and unexpectedly
upstage: steal the show, draw attention to oneself away from someone else
volley: make a volley
walk: obtain a base on balls
walk: give a base on balls to
walk over: beat easily
wallop: defeat soundly and utterly
war: make or wage war
ward off: avert, turn away, or repel
whale: hunt for whales
whelk: gather whelk
whistlestop: tour the country in order to solicit votes for an election
whomp: beat overwhelmingly
win: be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
wrestle: combat to overcome an opposing tendency or force
yield: cease opposition; stop fighting