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

VistaVision and CinemaScope were both first introduced as way to combat the rise of television. —ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026

Written in English and Spanish, the declaration endorses efforts to strengthen regional cooperation in combating transnational criminal organizations and narcotics trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026

Noun

Most Valuable Promotions, the boxing and combat sports promotion founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, is launching a dedicated women’s boxing platform, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026

In November, Uganda denied participating in any combat operations in South Sudan. —ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026