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

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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
Set in the not-so-distant future, the eight-episode limited series begins in 2047 where a major ecological crisis has spawned FedSur, a coalition of South American countries that imposes draconian measures to safeguard the environment and combat widespread hunger and violence. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025 This year, Baby2Baby announced the expansion of their initiative to combat the maternal health crisis to 15 states. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
In combat, the goal isn’t to block or parry. —Big Think, 29 Oct. 2025 India’s roadmap, including drone swarming, combat simulation, predictive maintenance, and AI-ready procurement standards, is aligned with global trends. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025 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
  • More than other age groups, teens have to fight to stay on a schedule that doesn't match their biology.
    — NPR, NPR, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Since taking office, Manzo, often seen wearing a bulletproof vest, had called on the federal government to do more to fight organized crime while expressing fears for his own safety.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
Definition of fight
Verb
  • Kentucky Republican Rand Paul has opposed the legislation on multiple occasions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The group exhausts and irritates opposing pitchers.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of oppose
Noun
  • His middle name is a homage to the Atlanta Braves’ former field where Freddie played for the majority of his career.
    — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The next time Hamilton had the ball, Sculley hit Oliver crossing the middle of the field for a 90-yard touchdown.
    — Richard Obert, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of field
Noun
  • Archaeologist Tony Pollard said that initial analysis indicates their finds were some of the last shots fired during the skirmish.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Pro Bowl defensive linemen Derrick Brown was forced to physically remove Robinson from the skirmish as teammates on both sides tried to intervene.
    — Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Definition of skirmish
Noun
  • As soon as a battle or a war has been fought, victors and losers alike begin to tell different stories.
    — Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Linked by the fire, a cashier, fire-fighter, district attorney and student battle to prevent tragedy, the blaze’s consequences still roiling two decades later.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Definition of battle
Noun
  • Real war introduces deception, saturation attacks and human failures.
    — Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The worker forced the child onto a bed during the attack, and the child’s head struck the edge of the bed and suffered a 2-centimeter laceration, per the statement.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Sunday’s clash will mark the 10th meeting in six years between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.
    — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • After the clash, Geralt is knighted for his bravery, fulfilling his oldest fantasy—but at a cost.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Definition of clash
Noun
  • The Aggies have their own rivalry game on the road on the final weekend of the regular season to worry about.
    — Erick Smith, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
  • While neither team made it to the World Series, their matchup in the wild card round added a new chapter to their rivalry.
    — Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
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 4 Nov. 2025.

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