1
as in to fight
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 to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
must marshal all of our resources to combat this disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
a soldier who served throughout the war without actually seeing combat
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
the two stags entered a furious combat for dominance of the herd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in battle
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the fierce ideological combat between the religionists and the secularists
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of combat
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
The trial is designed to test whether either of the therapies is effective against this form of Ebola, and whether using the two in combination would be a more effective way to combat the disease.
—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
24 June 2026
ABC News,
26 June 2026
If anything, the dichotomy between the pop star who prances around Versailles in a sheer nightie and the pop star who stomps onstage in knee-high combat boots feels completely authentic and intentional.
—
Chelsey Sanchez,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
There was some concern about efforts to combat Big Tech’s influence, namely after voters in Monterey Park approved a permanent ban on data centers after residents feared negative environmental effects, increasing utility prices and proximity to homes, according to The Guardian.
—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
The trial is designed to test whether either of the therapies is effective against this form of Ebola, and whether using the two in combination would be a more effective way to combat the disease.
—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
24 June 2026
Noun
The rotations serve as the Army's final validation before units are considered ready for potential combat deployments abroad.
—
ABC News,
26 June 2026
If anything, the dichotomy between the pop star who prances around Versailles in a sheer nightie and the pop star who stomps onstage in knee-high combat boots feels completely authentic and intentional.
—
Chelsey Sanchez,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
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Utah restricted fireworks and declared a state of emergency Friday ahead of July Fourth celebrations as the United States' largest wildfire expanded its reach across more tinder-dry forest, as crews rush to fight new blazes in the arid state.
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Plata was fighting a pretty strong German defense and a hold on his jersey to get up there.
Verb
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But Newsom disagreed, and the opposing sides of the measure failed to reach a compromise ahead of the Thursday deadline to withdrawal a measure.
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The prospect of the wealthy fleeing the state is among the reasons that prominent Democrats such as Newsom opposed it, given California’s budget being so reliant on the state’s most prosperous residents.
Noun
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Follow live updates and coverage on the 2026 World Cup games as the field get settled before the knockout round begins.
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Olympic gold medalist Arisa Trew secured her second winning result of the weekend with a switch McTwist — a 540-degree twist taking off from her opposite side while grabbing the middle of the board — during women’s vert best trick, which featured a field of athletes averaging only 16 1/2 years old.
Noun
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While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
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Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.
Noun
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Riff argued the issue to halt the payout was not a legal battle but rather a political one.
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While the first half of the match was full of battles and speed runs from one goal to another, the players seem to be taking a more methodical pace after returning from the locker room.
Noun
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One of the dogs involved in the attack was later found in Los Angeles County and seized.
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Two people were killed and seven others injured in Russian attacks on the northeastern Kharkiv region over the previous 24 hours, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said Friday.
Noun
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Panama coach Thomas Christiansen lamented a new World Cup rule that has left his team mathematically eliminated before their final Group L game, with today's clash against England offering only a chance to claw back some pride.
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If the favorites move on, Spain and Portugal would provide one of the more entertaining clashes in the entire tournament.
Noun
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In his first chance to pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his still-new Padres uniform Friday night, Buehler was a star in this NL West rivalry once again.
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The other final will see Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay renew their rivalry from Forbidden Door 2024, this time with an AEW World Championship match at Wembley Stadium on the line.
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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