sparred
Traded practice blows
Sparred is the past tense of spar, meaning to box or fight with light blows, typically for practice rather than competition: They sparred for three rounds at the gym.
Figuratively, to spar is to engage in verbal combat—arguing or debating without serious hostility: The candidates sparred over tax policy during the debate.
Disputed verbally
- debatedFormally argued opposing views
- quarreledDisputed angrily
- bickeredArgued over trivialities
- clashedCame into conflict
disputed · wrangled · bantered · exchanged · contested · jousted · disagreed · confronted
Engaged in conflict
- punchedStruck with closed fist
- trainedTaught a skill
- jabbedStruck with quick thrust
- boxedEnclosed in cardboard
gloves · rounds · clinched · counterpunched · footwork · combinations · uppercut · hook
Taught a skill
- drilledPierced or rehearsed repeatedly
- rehearsedPrepared by repetition
- preparedMade ready beforehand
- partneredJoined with another
coached · conditioning · technique · controlled · light contact · session · warm-up · exercise
argued
Disputed verbally
clashed · disputed · wrangled · bantered · exchanged · contested · jousted · disagreed · confronted · challenged
fought
Engaged in conflict
boxed · gloves · rounds · clinched · counterpunched · footwork · combinations · uppercut · hook · defended
trained
Taught a skill
partnered · coached · conditioning · technique · controlled · light contact · session · warm-up · exercise · simulated
sparredagreed
Shared the same view
concurred · harmonized · cooperated · collaborated · united
sparredavoided
Deliberately stayed away from
withdrew · disengaged · backed down · retreated · yielded
- sparring sessionPractice fighting with restraint
- sparring partnerPractice combat opponent
- verbal sparringCompetitive witty exchange
- sparring matchControlled combat for training
- sparring gearCombat practice protection
- sparring ringEnclosed area for combat practice