dogfight
Pilots trading fire
A dogfight is aerial combat between fighter aircraft at close range, characterized by rapid maneuvering as pilots try to get behind their opponents.
The term evokes the chaotic, snarling quality of dogs fighting.
By extension, dogfight describes any fierce, close-quarters struggle or intensely competitive situation: The election turned into a real dogfight in the final weeks.
As a verb, to dogfight is to engage in such combat.
Supportive second in formation
- squadronMilitary aviation unit
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
tailspin · aerobatics · pursuit · dive · climb · roll · loop · evasion
Brief, limited combat
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- meleeDisordered group skirmish
- brawlDisorderly group fight
scuffle · confrontation · struggle · tussle · grapple · battle · fray · duel
Extreme violent intensity
- furyIntense violent anger
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
tenacity · viciousness · ruthlessness · savagery · bloodlust · attack · dominance · territorial
wingman
Supportive second in formation
- squadronMilitary aviation unit
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
cockpit · tailspin · aerobatics · pursuit · dive · climb · roll · loop · evasion · tracers
skirmish
Brief, limited combat
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
- meleeDisordered group skirmish
brawl · scuffle · confrontation · struggle · tussle · grapple · battle · fray · duel · showdown
ferocity
Extreme violent intensity
- furyIntense violent anger
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
rivalry · tenacity · viciousness · ruthlessness · savagery · bloodlust · attack · dominance · territorial · snarling
pit
Fruit's hard seed
underground · cruelty · baiting · handler · wager · bust · raid · prosecution · kennel
- wargameswargame, wargaming, war game, strategy game, naval combat
- 1940sWWII, D-Day, Pearl Harbor, Normandy, VE Day
- warfarebattle, combat, attack, war, armed conflict
- fightsbrawl, scuffle, scrap, tussle, fistfight
- combatbattle, combat, unarmed combat, grappling, close combat
- RAFRAF, Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, Battle of Britain
dogfightformation flying
Aircraft flying in fixed pattern
escort mission · reconnaissance flight · patrol · cruising · air show
dogfightbombing raid
Aerial military strike
bombing run · strategic bombing · carpet bombing · missile strike · drone strike