combat

1 of 3

noun

com·​bat ˈkäm-ˌbat 

1

: a fight or contest between individuals or groups

2

: conflict, controversy

3

: active fighting in a war : action

casualties suffered in combat

combat

2 of 3

verb

com·​bat kəm-ˈbat  ˈkäm-ˌbat 

combated or combatted; combating or combatting

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

combat

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adjective

com·​bat ˈkäm-ˌbat 

1

: relating to combat

combat missions

2

: designed or destined for combat

combat boots

combat troops

Synonyms of combat

Noun

• field
• attack
• battle
• fire
• action
• hostilities

Verb

• fight
• battle

Choose the Right Synonym for combat

oppose, combat, resist, withstand mean to set oneself against someone or something.

oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare.

opposed the plan

combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something.

combat disease

resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it.

resisting temptation

withstand suggests a more passive resistance.

trying to withstand peer pressure

Examples of combat in a Sentence

Noun

Some of these soldiers have never seen combat.

He was killed in combat.

Verb

The drug helps combat infection.

She dedicated her life to combating poverty.

Exercise can help combat the effects of stress.

The mayor pledged to combat crime.

They have been combating the rebels for months.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The launch marks a major milestone in the Indian Army's efforts to strengthen its long-range precision strike capability and reinforce deterrence, the ministry said, adding that the country's indigenous missile systems are accurate, reliable and effective in combat. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

Designed to slip through dense Soviet-era air defenses with either nuclear or conventional weapons, the Spirit has seen combat in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and most recently Iran. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025

Verb

Those difficult moments of reflection helped mold the star's perspective towards aiding the American Cancer Society, an organization that has been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families for 110 years, through efforts combating cancer via advocacy, research and patient support. —Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025

For example, lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, increasing exercise, reducing stress levels and losing weight can help with symptoms and combat the heightened risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease. —Sashikala Vp, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025

Adjective

The continuing non-combat losses and training flight failures point to persistent operational and maintenance challenges within Russia’s air fleet as the war grinds on. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2025

The move would close loopholes that allowed military aircraft to turn off their ADS-B equipment, even when flying on non-combat missions. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from combatre to attack, fight, from Vulgar Latin *combattere, from Latin com- + battuere to beat

First Known Use

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1564, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing combat

• combat fatigue
• hors de combat
• mortal combat
• single combat

Kids Definition

combat

1 of 2 noun

com·​bat ˈkäm-ˌbat 

1

: a fight or contest between individuals or groups

2

: conflict entry 1 sense 2

3

: active fighting in a war : action

soldiers experienced in combat

combat

2 of 2 verb

com·​bat kəm-ˈbat 

ˈkäm-ˌbat

combated or combatted; combating or combatting

1

: to fight with : battle

2

: to struggle against

especially : to strive to reduce or eliminate

combat disease