combat

noun

com·bat | \ ˈkäm-ˌbat

Definition of combat

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a fight or contest between individuals or groups

2 : conflict, controversy

3 : active fighting in a war : action casualties suffered in combat

combat

verb

com·bat | \ kəm-ˈbat

, ˈkäm-ˌba-\

combated or combatted; combating or combatting

Definition of combat (Entry 2 of 3)

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

adjective

com·bat | \ ˈkäm-ˌbat

Definition of combat (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : relating to combat combat missions

2 : designed or destined for combat combat boots combat troops

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about combat

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Choose the Right Synonym for combat

Verb

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

Arya has an ax to grind with Cersei and the combat skills to defeat Jaime. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "All the Game of Thrones Fan Theories You Need to Read Before Season 8 Premieres," 8 Mar. 2019 Libby says when used in skincare, rose water will help our skin combat harmful free radicals and damage caused by UV rays, pollution, and stress. — Audrey Noble, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Beauty Benefits of Rose Water," 8 Feb. 2019 The ingredients are formulated to relax and soothe sore muscles, joints, and pain, soften skin, and combat inflammation. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "A Heart-Shaped CBD Bath Bomb Is Exactly What You Need To Relax This Weekend," 1 Feb. 2019 Older aircraft, visible to enemy radars, had to enter a combat zone, bomb their targets, and quickly leave. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "F-35, Ground Rocket Launcher Team Up to Destroy Target with Pinpoint Accuracy," 8 Oct. 2018 Officials said the service member died of a wound sustained in a combat operation. — CBS News, "American service member killed in Afghanistan, second U.S. death in 6 days," 12 July 2018 Unlike conventional soldiers, they aren’t bolstered by the group solidarity forged in combat zones. — New York Times, "The Wounds of the Drone Warrior," 13 June 2018 Officials said he was arrested with: two .45-caliber handguns, a .454-caliber handgun, and a 12-gauge shotgun, all fully loaded; a combat knife; pepper spray; and throwing stars. — Nathan J. Fish, azcentral, "Want to bring a fake gun to Phoenix Comic Fest? Nope.," 26 May 2018 There's no reason for our schools to be combat zones. — Larry Holder, NOLA.com, "Monday's 'Dunc & Holder:' Super Bowl hopes for New Orleans; LSU lands Joe Burrow," 21 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Farmwave is a new app that incorporates artificial intelligence to help farmers detect pathogens and pests and recommends ways to combat them and reduce their spread, thus saving crops. — Henry Robertson, Popular Mechanics, "An App Could Be the Key to Saving Crops from Pests and Pathogens," 4 Dec. 2018 But in Jennifer Lopez's world, a workout is such a natural occurrence, that a to-the-streets translation takes direct notes from the cardio session rather than combating it. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Jennifer Lopez's Weekend Beauty Look Took Its Cues From the Gym," 6 Aug. 2018 So what’s the deal with Mercury retrograde, anyway, and what are the best ways to combat (or at least survive) it? — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "Your 2018 Guide to Surviving Mercury Retrograde," 26 July 2018 To combat them, addressing mental health goals in tandem with physical goals is essential. — Karen S. Lynch, STAT, "Everyone deserves a holistic, patient-centric health care system," 12 July 2018 Extra: Find information on the urban heat island effect and how cities try to combat it. — Science Buddies, Scientific American, "Warm in the Sun," 12 July 2018 The Pawnee Fire in Lake County, California has rapidly outpaced efforts to combat it, according to CBS San Francisco. — Thomas Leavy, CBS News, "Officials report "zero containment" of 1,500-acre blaze Pawnee Fire in California," 24 June 2018 The Green New Deal is a framework for mobilizing the government to lengths not seen since FDR's original New Deal in order to transform the economy and combat the devastating effects of climate change. — Bridget Read, Vogue, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal Resolution Gets Support From the Major 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidates," 7 Feb. 2019 According to a new report from Hello!, the Kensington Palace staff now have to spend hours each week combating sexist and racist attacks against the two Duchesses. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle Have Been Subjected to Horrifying Online Abuse," 28 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Combat summer heat and humidity with beauty products that put the emphasis on natural and organic ingredients. — Christy Lorio, NOLA.com, "5 all-natural, skin refreshing beauty products," 2 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'combat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.