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
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
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
-
In the 1970s, what was then West Germany co-produced the Tornado bomber with the UK and Italy; then in the 1990s Germany worked with the UK, Italy and Spain to produce the dog-fighting Eurofighter jet.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
But somehow, the Valkyries went cold and the Storm kept fighting.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Bass also accused Raman of repeatedly opposing efforts to address encampments near schools and increase police staffing.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
-
The amendment would tighten existing restrictions in the Southern Baptist Convention, which already has a faith statement opposing women pastors.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
At every World Cup game, children between the ages of 6 and 10 will escort players onto the field before kickoff.—
Chelsea Torres,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
In 2013, off-the-field issues began to affect his on-field availability.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
One of those skirmishes, in fact, involved Childress himself, in 2011 at Kansas Speedway, when the then-65-year-old car owner for an opposing team got into a physical altercation with Busch after an on-track incident.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2026
-
At Bunker HIll, historical displays are accompanied by panels with quotes that reflect on the monument and the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first major skirmish of the Revolutionary War.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Mexico dominated, winning the possession battle 60% to 40%.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
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
-
The families allege that the attacker used ChatGPT to plan the attack, and that the company did not do anything to stop it.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
-
And, in any case, many legal experts say the boat attacks amount to extrajudicial killings in violation of international law.—
Will Weissert,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
This is not the company's first clash with Washington.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
The clash comes as prediction markets push for mainstream legitimacy despite a series of insider trading allegations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
But when rivalry between sororities escalates and a body is found, ambition, loyalty, and sisterhood collide with deadly consequences.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
The oldest rivalry in the NFL doesn’t include a team from Green Bay.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
