combat 1 of 2

verb

kəm-ˈbat How to pronounce combat (audio)
Definition of combatnext
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

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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

combat

2 of 2

noun

ˈkäm-ˌbat How to pronounce combat (audio)
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

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of combat
Verb
Bet365 tries to combat that with early payout promotions, a benefit not many other sportsbooks offer. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 That is why the Mamdani administration unveiled its plan to combat antisemitism and hate crimes against Jewish residents. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
The two have partnered on Anduril’s flagship autonomous aircraft, the Fury collaborative combat aircraft, since the second quarter of 2025, according to a Baird research report dated June 29. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 The notice describes Essa as the chief sharia instructor of Khatiba Nusaybah, or ISIS-NK, an all-female Islamic State combat battalion formed in Raqqa, Syria, in 2016 to recruit, organize and train female fighters. — Sara Harmouch, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
  1. fight
  2. oppose
  3. field
  4. skirmish
  5. battle
  6. attack
  7. clash
  8. rivalry
Verb
  • Kosovo has criticized the verdicts as unjust, maintaining that the KLA, which Thaci had led before entering politics, fought against Serbian oppression.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • His emphasis on fighting crime, his anti-left agenda and his confrontations with the Supreme Federal Court and Brazil’s political establishment directly appeal to issues that have mobilized Bolsonaro’s base for years.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of fight
Verb
  • This was a leftism distinct from Marxism and later communism, but nonetheless opposed to the state, the capitalist class, and clericalism.
    — Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Polling conducted by the Associated Press/NORC last year shows that more Americans oppose the current biannual clock change than those who support it—47% compared to just 12%.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of oppose
Noun
  • These releases were often filled with field recordings and improvisations, prioritizing the glimpse into the artist’s mind over the rigors of craft.
    — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Lichtenstein rose to prominence for canvases that drew inspiration from bold black outlines, flat bright colors, and fields of dots that defined commercial printing across comic books, advertisements, and newspapers.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of field
Noun
  • Ties between the two countries, which had deteriorated sharply following a deadly border skirmish in 2020, have been thawing for more than a year.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The duo walks away from this skirmish, though not unscathed, as Samjad quickly and economically sets up a blistering saga of stylish reprisals with no holds barred.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • Chinese media reported that PLA forces deployed Type 99A main battle tanks alongside drones, uncrewed ground vehicles and helicopters.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Alabama and Mississippi State battle, and Underdog is offering new users a chance to use promo code FOXNEWS to earn up to $100 in bonus bets on a $5 wager.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • An inmate died in an apparent homicide Tuesday morning after an attack by another prisoner at California State Prison, Sacramento, state corrections officials said.
    — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • After spending some time playing in a (very cool) makeshift stadium on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Northwestern Wildcats finally christened the new Ryan Field in an important Big Ten clash with Penn State.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The Buffs and the Blue Raiders are undefeated in district play and will face off in a high-stakes Week 7 clash.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of clash
Noun
  • And allowing the top seeds to select their opponents in the first two rounds would create compelling storylines, intensify existing rivalries and create new ones.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Better still, they could’ve been forced to navigate a professional rivalry if, say, Roy is expected to support Chelsea’s women’s club.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rivalry

Browse Nearby Words

comb
combat
combatant
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Cite this Entry

“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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