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
CBS News, 11 June 2026
The problem for Paraguay is that the USMNT has the right personnel to combat such tactics, particularly wide defensive players who are above-average attackers from their positions.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Frank Andrews, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Although a full professional combat sports card has never been hosted at the White House, sports are hardly new for the president’s home.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
In May, the brazen murder of a small-city mayor, allegedly by the CJNG, prompted angry protests targeting symbols of the state, which many residents accused of failing to combat spiraling violence.
—CBS News, 11 June 2026
The problem for Paraguay is that the USMNT has the right personnel to combat such tactics, particularly wide defensive players who are above-average attackers from their positions.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Noun
In 2023, the British military said Russia appeared to be training dolphins for combat to counter Ukrainian forces.
—Frank Andrews, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Although a full professional combat sports card has never been hosted at the White House, sports are hardly new for the president’s home.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
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Resistance groups formed in the wake of the coup have combined with major ethnic armed groups such as the Arakan Army to take on the military, which is fighting the rebellion on multiple frontlines.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
11 Dec. 2025
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For the moment, Canada is fighting harder, or at least more publicly, than Mexico.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Investigators determined that one person initially opened fire during the altercation, which led to a person from the opposing group to return fire.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
11 June 2026
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Sabellico had characterized his campaign as one opposing extremism, while Allman billed his as focused on improving academics and transparency.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The first regional Michelin guide for North America is heading for the Southeast – and its anonymous inspectors are already in the field.—
Laura L. Davis,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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Erin's wind field will widen significantly this week, fueling dangerous rip currents and massive waves along the East Coast.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Video taken by Fox News Digital showed several skirmishes breaking out as Anthony was handed a sentence of 35 years behind bars for Metcalf’s killing.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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The comps were particularly rough that season, as the NYC-OKC skirmish was no match for what would prove to be Michael Jordan’s final championship in Chicago.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Mexico dominated, winning the possession battle 60% to 40%.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
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The Patriots had goals from Maya Feloney and Ava Bridgman, but the possession battle was firmly in NDA’s favor with the score being 5-2.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2026
Noun
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His left arm, partially blown off in a grenade attack on October 7, 2023, is visible in the video.—
Dana Karni,
CNN Money,
12 Dec. 2025
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Teams are targeting the champions down their right side, channelling more of their attacks onto that flank.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Much of this strife, including throughout the 1967-1970 civil war and subsequent clashes over the decades, has also been closely tied to feuds across ethnic and territorial lines.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Pfizer and Novo Nordisk are in a takeover clash over the obesity biotech Metsera, with both pharmaceutical giants raising their bids for the startup as of Monday.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Bertha Coombs,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For years, three MDC campuses competed against each other, and that rivalry was especially fierce and often heated for the baseball programs run by legendary coaches – Demie Mainieri at Dade-North; Charlie Greene at Dade-South/Kendall; and Hertz at Dade Downtown/Wolfson.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
8 Dec. 2025
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Behind the scenes, the Queen met with David Tennant, who plays Tony Baddingham, the ruthless director of a local television network in a heated rivalry with Tory MP Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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