variants
or combatting
1
as in fighting
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
a general eager to combat the enemy on his own ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opposing
to strive to reduce or eliminate
must marshal all of our resources to combat this disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combating
The Minnesota Department of Corrections launched a website its leaders said was dedicated to combatting Department of Homeland Security misinformation after Pretti was killed.
—
Claudia Lauer, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
The administration has repeatedly downplayed the benefits of immunization, while exaggerating the importance of nutritional supplementation for combatting measles.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Zicam Travel can be stressful, and when my body is combating too much stress, my immune system is the first to remind me to slow down.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2026
This decision once again underscores that the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission maintain a full-coverage, zero-tolerance approach to combating corruption.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Toxic masculinity and homophobic locker rooms have been a problem in all major sports leagues, but hockey hasn’t had much success combatting that image in the public sphere.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2026
Canopy said that shifting global supply chains is one of the most effective means of combating the climate crisis and delivering on environmental goals ahead of 2030 deadlines.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
Why our survival matters (and the ethical value of combatting climate change).
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
While drinking water throughout the day supports overall health and skin, topical hydration through lotions and serums is also important for combating dullness.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 20 Jan. 2026
Claudia Lauer, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
The administration has repeatedly downplayed the benefits of immunization, while exaggerating the importance of nutritional supplementation for combatting measles.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Zicam Travel can be stressful, and when my body is combating too much stress, my immune system is the first to remind me to slow down.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2026
This decision once again underscores that the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission maintain a full-coverage, zero-tolerance approach to combating corruption.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Toxic masculinity and homophobic locker rooms have been a problem in all major sports leagues, but hockey hasn’t had much success combatting that image in the public sphere.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2026
Canopy said that shifting global supply chains is one of the most effective means of combating the climate crisis and delivering on environmental goals ahead of 2030 deadlines.
—Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
Why our survival matters (and the ethical value of combatting climate change).
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
While drinking water throughout the day supports overall health and skin, topical hydration through lotions and serums is also important for combating dullness.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combating
Verb
-
Graham, in particular, has been on a war path over the negotiations, accusing Republicans of not fighting hard enough to reclaim the narrative on immigration after the death of Alex Pretti last weekend.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Madison Square Garden has issued a statement warning that anyone fighting at the arena could face a lifetime ban after multiple brawls broke out during an event on Friday.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The visuals still take some getting used to — the lonely kicker set up 30 yards behind the nearest teammate, the coverage players and opposing blockers standing frozen as the kick sails over their heads.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The focus on Pretti’s gun both locally and nationally has drawn blowback from Democrats, gun rights advocates and some conservatives, a constellation of groups often on opposing sides of the gun debate.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Starlancer was a narrower simulator in the vein of Wing Commander or X-Wing, following a linear narrative about alliances of Earth's nations battling in the void of space.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Ridgewood, a smaller, scrappy bunch kept battling, taking a 40-39 advantage entering the fourth quarter and pushing it to 49-41.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At a time when the British elite remained fixated with Latin and Greek, the modern languages provided generations of Irishmen and women with one way of countering Anglocentrism within Irish cultural life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
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And don’t overlook that there are many credible voices in social space that share accurate tax information, ranging from the IRS social media channels to tax professionals on X who use the #TaxTwitter handle — and are quite good at countering bad information in social space.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combating. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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