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
Charles Singh, USA Today, 28 June 2025
The governor’s announcement mirrors attempts by other states to reshape their health, with Stitt saying Oklahoma faces the same challenge in combating childhood obesity across the United States.
—Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2025
Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
Over 10 months, the cod skin grafts supported tissue regeneration and helped combat infection, which improved Kere's prospects.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
How car brands are working to combat electric vehicle performance issues
Many automakers have developed thermal management systems for modern electric vehicles.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 28 June 2025
The governor’s announcement mirrors attempts by other states to reshape their health, with Stitt saying Oklahoma faces the same challenge in combating childhood obesity across the United States.
—Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2025
Noun
Players start with a small deck of cards that represents a fighting style, such as balanced, aggressive, trickster, slasher or counter striker, and each round of combat, a hand is drawn from that deck.
—Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
Over 10 months, the cod skin grafts supported tissue regeneration and helped combat infection, which improved Kere's prospects.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
-
For Coetzee, Speaking in Tongues is part of a larger project of fighting the hegemony of English in world literature.—
Carey Baraka,
The Dial,
26 June 2025
-
After weeks of defense attorneys fighting in court for Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States, the Trump administration brought him back on June 7 to face federal human smuggling charges.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Within the classroom, the Trump policy has meant opposing curriculum that allows for more than a binary — male or female — expression of gender.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
-
The Federal Reserve’s vice-chair for supervision Michelle Bowman is now the second Fed official to support rate cuts as soon as July, opposing Fed chair Jerome Powell.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
If gravity interacts with the Higgs field under these conditions, this interaction could change how gravity behaves.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
24 June 2025
-
But a college degree is not necessary to earn a good salary in some fields.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
The protests were substantially peaceful, although small skirmishes resulting in arrests, damage to property and injuries broke out when police tried to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas.—
Megan Schrader,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
-
The Fever emerged with an 88-71 win after a game that featured a pair of skirmishes, including a fight in the final minute that led to three ejections.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
After a competitive bidding battle, Amazon MGM Studios has landed the package for a live-action movie revolving around the Bratz doll line with Kim Kardashian and Picturestart on board to produce.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
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That same month, Adams withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic primary, saying the legal battle had prevented him from effectively campaigning.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Sunday’s attacks follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comments two days ago that Moscow is ready for a fresh round of direct peace talks in Istanbul.—
Volodymyr Yurchuk,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2025
-
Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine despite talks between the two countries in Istanbul, which were supposed to lead to a ceasefire.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
In many ways, the game might offer a blueprint for the quarterfinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
Small groups of far-right counter-protesters attempted to disrupt the parade, but police kept them away and diverted the route of the march to avoid any clashes.—
Anita Komuves,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
In the final, Waters renewed her years-long rivalry against her former doubles partner and won with ease 6,1.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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