Synonyms of combat

combat 1 of 2

verb

kəm-ˈbat 

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

• fight
• battle
• war (against)
• clash (with)
• skirmish (with)
• duel
• beat
• hit
• wrestle
• scrimmage (with)
• punch
• joust
• strike
• knock
• slug
• slap
• box
• brawl
• belt
• smack
• smite
• batter
• whack
• swat
• buffet
• bludgeon
• swipe
• bat
• clobber
• hammer
• sock
• slam
• bop
• paste
• pound
• thump
• grapple
• bang
• slog
• whale
• spar
• bash
• wallop
• bump
• tussle
• scuffle
• collide
• thwack

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submit
• give up
• surrender

2

as in to oppose

to strive to reduce or eliminate

must marshal all of our resources to combat this disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fight
• oppose
• counter
• battle
• resist
• contend (with)
• confront
• withstand
• thwart
• oppugn
• foil
• frustrate
• face
• baffle
• checkmate
• defy
• meet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• promote
• encourage
• forward
• advance
• foster
• cultivate
• further
• suffer
• endure
• support
• bear
• nurture
• nourish
• abide
• advocate
• back
• uphold
• endorse
• champion

combat

2 of 2

noun

ˈkäm-ˌbat 

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

• field
• attack
• battle
• fire
• action
• hostilities
• warfare
• firefight
• operations
• pitched battle
• single combat
• service
• duty

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

• skirmish
• battle
• fight
• clash
• struggle
• fray
• conflict
• scuffle
• brawl
• tussle
• duel
• contest
• confrontation
• scrimmage
• dustup
• altercation
• fracas
• melee
• scrum
• scrap
• pitched battle
• quarrel
• battle royal
• blows
• rough-and-tumble
• hassle
• fisticuffs
• dispute
• spat
• fistfight
• slugfest
• tangle
• affray
• joust
• broil
• mix-up
• row
• grapple
• punch-up
• punch-out
• ruction
• free-for-all
• donnybrook
• ruckus
• face-off
• cross fire
• squabble
• controversy
• misunderstanding
• wrangle
• kickup
• contretemps
• falling-out
• argument
• handgrips
• catfight
• tiff
• disagreement
• argle-bargle
• argy-bargy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• truce

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

• battle
• rivalry
• warfare
• struggle
• duel
• war
• competition
• conflict
• confrontation
• contention
• match
• contest
• strife
• ball game
• dogfight
• clash
• showdown
• tug-of-war
• grapple
• sweepstakes
• face-off
• debate
• horse race
• friction
• dispute
• collision
• discord
• disputation
• quarrel
• argument
• controversy
• nail-biter
• disagreement
• row
• dissension
• wrangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• harmony
• concord

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb combat differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of combat are oppose, resist, and withstand. While all these words mean "to set oneself against someone or something," combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something.

combat disease

Where would oppose be a reasonable alternative to combat?

In some situations, the words oppose and combat are roughly equivalent. However, oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare.

opposed the plan

When can resist be used instead of combat?

The words resist and combat can be used in similar contexts, but resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it.

resisting temptation

In what contexts can withstand take the place of combat?

The words withstand and combat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, withstand suggests a more passive resistance.

trying to withstand peer pressure

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of combat

Verb

Future satellite servicing initiatives Without an artificial boost to combat atmospheric drag, NASA expects Swift to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later this year. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Both lightweight and practical, the layering piece is designed to combat fall chill and rain without too much bulk. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

Puerile combat has defined Cheung’s performance in the second term. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026

Commissioner Samuel Levine are partnering up to combat wage theft, tenant harassment and fraud targeting immigrants. — Anna Schecter, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026