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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of combat
Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
Mahmood said the suspect was not known to security services, counter-terror police or the Home Office’s Prevent program, a central plank of Britain’s strategy to combat terrorism.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
India’s roadmap, including drone swarming, combat simulation, predictive maintenance, and AI-ready procurement standards, is aligned with global trends.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
Crime has been a central issue in the campaign, with Bowman criticizing the city's safety and Pureval highlighting measures to combat it.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
Mahmood said the suspect was not known to security services, counter-terror police or the Home Office’s Prevent program, a central plank of Britain’s strategy to combat terrorism.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
In combat, the goal isn’t to block or parry.
—Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025
India’s roadmap, including drone swarming, combat simulation, predictive maintenance, and AI-ready procurement standards, is aligned with global trends.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
-
More than other age groups, teens have to fight to stay on a schedule that doesn't match their biology.—
NPR,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Since taking office, Manzo, often seen wearing a bulletproof vest, had called on the federal government to do more to fight organized crime while expressing fears for his own safety.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Kentucky Republican Rand Paul has opposed the legislation on multiple occasions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The group exhausts and irritates opposing pitchers.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His middle name is a homage to the Atlanta Braves’ former field where Freddie played for the majority of his career.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The next time Hamilton had the ball, Sculley hit Oliver crossing the middle of the field for a 90-yard touchdown.—
Richard Obert,
AZCentral.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Archaeologist Tony Pollard said that initial analysis indicates their finds were some of the last shots fired during the skirmish.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Pro Bowl defensive linemen Derrick Brown was forced to physically remove Robinson from the skirmish as teammates on both sides tried to intervene.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
History buffs should head to Saratoga National Historic Park, which was the site of two pivotal Revolutionary War battles.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
-
What began as a grassroots open-records request has now branched into a multifront legal battle.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
All three nuclear powers have established their own nuclear triad, consisting of ICBMs, submarines armed with ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft, which ensure their forces can survive a first strike and retaliate, thereby deterring a nuclear attack.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But in the final weeks of the race, both campaigns traded personal attacks.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Sunday’s clash will mark the 10th meeting in six years between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.—
Andy Scholes,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
-
After the clash, Geralt is knighted for his bravery, fulfilling his oldest fantasy—but at a cost.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Spurs were inept and disjointed on Saturday, losing 1-0 against Chelsea in a rivalry the club don’t tolerate losing easily.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share