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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
verbcom·bat | \ kəm-ˈbat , ˈkäm-ˌba- \
, ˈkäm-ˌba- \combated or combatted; combating or combatting
Definition of combat (Entry 2 of 3)
: to engage in combat : fight
1 : to fight with : battle
2 : to struggle against especially : to strive to reduce or eliminate combat pollution
combat
adjectivecom·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
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The half track was one of the first vehicles designed to carry infantry in combat.
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Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "This Restored WWII Half-Track Is a Masterpiece," 19 Nov. 2019 Calabro typically downplays his own experiences in combat.
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cleveland, "Independence Primary School Veterans Day ceremony honors former service members," 13 Nov. 2019 During the national service of remembrance, a number of wreaths were laid in memory of those who perished in combat.
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Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Why Prince Philip Isn't at Remembrance Day Services with Queen Elizabeth This Year," 10 Nov. 2019 The Wagner Group has previously appeared in combat in Syria, the Central African Republic, Ukraine and other countries considered strategic for the Kremlin’s geopolitical and economic interests.
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Washington Post, "Arrival of Russian mercenaries adds deadlier firepower, modern tactics to Libya’s civil war," 6 Nov. 2019 Tour of Duty, which showed Americans in combat in Vietnam, ran for three seasons (1987-90) and starred Terence Knox, Stephen Caffrey, Tony Becker and Miguel A. Núñez Jr.
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Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, "Zev Braun, Producer of Vietnam CBS Drama 'Tour of Duty,' Dies at 90," 30 Oct. 2019 The Long Beach resident, who saw combat in Iraq, served time for felonies.
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Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: Indigenous Peoples Day and a Democratic debate in the week ahead," 14 Oct. 2019 Smartphones have seen combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Wired, "The Dangers of Distracted Fighting," 9 Oct. 2019 Lore about aunts, uncles, and cousins who’d worn wigs and prosthetic noses, baked codes and coordinates into pupusas, and trained in armed combat in jungles and university basements.
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Alejandro Varela, Harper's magazine, "Carlitos in Charge," 16 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Following her remarks, a panel of local leaders and activists in the fight for access to the ballot addressed the crowd sharing personal stories of voter suppression and how best to combat it.
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NBC News, "Pete Buttigieg releases tax returns from time at McKinsey," 21 Nov. 2019 The best way to combat the negative effects of winter is to be proactive.
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Leah Napoliello, Houston Chronicle, "BBB on Homes: Prepare your home for colder weather," 2 Nov. 2019 For instance, if society emphasizes bioenergy as a way to combat climate change, the model can show the potential impacts of that decision on biodiversity and food security, Watson says.
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Stephen Leahy, National Geographic, "Billions face food, water shortages over next 30 years as nature fails," 10 Oct. 2019 Because our bodies begin to lose collagen in our 20s, skin creams and treatments made from the connective tissues of animals seem like an effective way to combat age.
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Brooke Russell, Quartzy, "Drinking collagen has health benefits—but don’t put it in your coffee," 5 Oct. 2019 One way to combat the size of Arkansas on Saturday will be the utilization of the tight end position.
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C.j. Peterson, The Mercury News, "SJSU vs. Arkansas: Welcome to the SEC, Brennan’s Spartans," 19 Sep. 2019 Because our bodies begin to lose collagen in our 20s, skin creams and treatments made from the connective tissues of animals seem like an effective way to combat age.
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Brooke Russell, The Conversation, "Collagen in your coffee? A scientist says forget it," 18 Sep. 2019 Its main focus is to organize local summits for young people to learn about climate change and how to combat it.
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Grace Goldstein, Seventeen, "Here's The Real Reason I'm Fighting To Stop Climate Change," 17 Sep. 2019 Many of the social media companies have made moves to try to combat white supremacist propaganda.
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Sara Sidner, CNN, "A mother's warning: If you have white teen sons, listen up ...," 22 Oct. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Combat summer heat and humidity with beauty products that put
the emphasis on natural and organic ingredients.
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Christy Lorio, NOLA.com, "5 all-natural, skin refreshing beauty products," 2 Aug. 2017
See MoreThese 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.
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More Definitions for combat
combat
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of combat
(Entry 1 of 2)
: active fighting especially in a war
combat
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of combat (Entry 2 of 2)
: to try to stop (something) from happening or getting worse
formal : to fight against (someone) : to engage in combat against (an enemy)
See the full definition for combat in the English Language Learners Dictionary
combat
nouncom·bat | \ ˈkäm-ˌbat \
\Kids Definition of combat
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a fight or contest between individuals or groups
2 : active military fighting
Five soldiers were wounded in combat.
combat
verbcom·bat | \ kəm-ˈbat , ˈkäm-ˌbat \
, ˈkäm-ˌbat \combated or combatted; combating or combatting
Kids Definition of combat (Entry 2 of 2)
: to fight with : fight against : oppose combat disease
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The first known use of combat was in 1546
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