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

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

The divisions underscore the West’s challenges in combating China; following decades of building up its supply chains, Beijing now controls 90% of global processing. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 22 Apr. 2026

At the same time, the CIA has also been bolstering their own resources to combat drug operations. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026

Noun

Adamson was involved in an observational study, published in 2024, of 30 combat veterans with traumatic brain injuries who underwent ibogaine treatment in Mexico. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026

Minogue, a West Point graduate, combat veteran and successful businessman has already spent a small fortune on television advertising leading up to the convention and is considered the favorite. —Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026