combat

²com·bat

verb \kəm-ˈbat, ˈkäm-ˌ\

com·bat·ed or com·bat·tedcom·bat·ing or com·bat·ting

Definition of COMBAT

intransitive verb

: to engage in combat : fight

transitive verb

1

: to fight with : battle

2

: to struggle against; especially : to strive to reduce or eliminate <combat pollution>

Examples of COMBAT

1. The drug helps combat infection.
2. She dedicated her life to combating poverty.
3. Exercise can help combat the effects of stress.
4. The mayor pledged to combat crime.
5. They have been combating the rebels for months.

First Known Use of COMBAT

1564

Related to COMBAT

Synonyms: battle, clash (with), fight, scrimmage (with), skirmish (with), war (against)

Antonyms: advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote

Related Words: duel, joust; bang, bash, bat, batter, beat, belt, bludgeon, bop, buffet, clobber, hammer, hit, knock, paste, pound, punch, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale; box, spar; brawl; grapple, scuffle, tussle, wrestle; bump, collide

Near Antonyms: give up, submit, surrender

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at oppose