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
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Recent Examples of combat
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2025
If lawyers fail to combat this existential threat, who will?
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Leah Douglas, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Now, the Pentagon is finally close to placing hypersonic missiles with combat units.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
The plot follows an unconventional partnership between a Taiwanese paranormal YouTuber and an Indian tech engineer who must join forces to combat a supernatural threat endangering both their worlds.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2025
If lawyers fail to combat this existential threat, who will?
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
Richardson, a former Marine artillery officer and combat veteran, told staff in an all-hands call that was heavy on references to his military experience, that all decisions, including those on spending, would go through him.
—Leah Douglas, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Now, the Pentagon is finally close to placing hypersonic missiles with combat units.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
-
The current plan would lift the SALT cap from $10,000 to $30,000, but a handful of blue-state Republicans have been fighting to raise the cap higher.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
21 May 2025
-
Moving to Italy was a big jump and then moving here was another big jump: from Serie B to a big club that fights in European competition.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Some suffragists argued that immigrants opposed suffrage for women and prohibition, and therefore immigrant voting posed a threat to their agenda.—
Time,
Time,
19 May 2025
-
In California, 59 percent of voters opposed cash reparations in a 2023 poll by the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.—
Laurel Rosenhall,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
Ryan Blaney slides back through the field, all the way into 15th place.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2025
-
Damage was reported on the school campus, including to the athletic fields.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Past skirmishes with Pakistan had allowed Modi to construct a triumphalist narrative of strength that played to his domestic audience.—
Vaibhav Vats,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2025
-
Fever star Caitlin Clark and Reese got into a skirmish during the game, which sparked boos from the home crowd.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
As a 60-person battle royale, matches can be extremely long and, in tournament play, repeat over and over for hours until a winning team can be crowned.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2025
-
Players are not exactly having a wild time battle royale-ing here, in other words.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
The attack left about 1,200 people dead, and militants captured Alexander and some 250 others to hold hostage. 'Greatest gift': Family of NJ's Edan Alexander heads to Israel as Hamas agrees to release How many hostages remain in Gaza?—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
-
In late August, Schuyler belatedly learned that Washington was preparing a second prong of attack, which would depart from Massachusetts and make its way north through the wilds of Maine and Quebec under Arnold’s command.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s arrest and ensuing indictment has escalated a clash between President Donald Trump’s administration and local authorities over the Republican’s sweeping immigration crackdown.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
-
Dugan's arrest has escalated a clash between the Trump administration and Democrats over the Republican president's sweeping immigration crackdown.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Noun
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This is a space that is ripe for standardization, the entry of new players in the market, and more vendor rivalries and drama.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
20 May 2025
-
At times, the rivalry between the players has become the biggest topic of discussion in sports and eclipsed the athletic world, raising issues of race and gender equality.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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