1
as in fights
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 opposes
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 actions
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 skirmishes
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 battles
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 combats
Helen Dennis, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Aeration helps oxygen reach roots and combats the effects of compacting, but making sure your lawn continues to breathe is key to keeping it consistently green.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 17 Apr. 2026
The best weed-and-feed product combats the weed population in your lawn and meets the fertilizer needs of your turf.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2026
Mix cinnamon with warm water to create a spray that combats fungal issues and discourages pests from returning.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026
Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream The Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream is a fragrance-free, multitasking formula that combats wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
This combats dynamic pricing based on your search history, which could lead to higher fares.
—Christopher Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 28 Jan. 2026
The Last Gift Study, launched in 2017, combats that issue by conducting an autopsy immediately after a patient’s death.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Fit was prioritized on the upper, which combats wrinkles at the toe box and hosts a better lacing system and a new heel sling.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 5 Dec. 2025
Daniel Popper, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Bodies in motion are intercut with a bespoke gun factory’s grinding gears; human combats are juxtaposed with VR imagery or first-person shooter games.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Housed in a convenient, swipeable stick applicator, the fast-absorbing gel relieves puffiness, combats dryness, and plumps the appearance of fine lines on contact, thus creating a smooth canvas for ensuing concealer.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
This proactive boundary setting manages stakeholder expectations, combats scope creep and forces ruthless focus on the absolute core, driving true agility over bloat.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Regular physical activity helps reduce blood pressure, eases arthritic pain, combats chronic illness and lifts your mood.
—Helen Dennis, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Aeration helps oxygen reach roots and combats the effects of compacting, but making sure your lawn continues to breathe is key to keeping it consistently green.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 17 Apr. 2026
The best weed-and-feed product combats the weed population in your lawn and meets the fertilizer needs of your turf.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2026
Mix cinnamon with warm water to create a spray that combats fungal issues and discourages pests from returning.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026
Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream The Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream is a fragrance-free, multitasking formula that combats wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
This combats dynamic pricing based on your search history, which could lead to higher fares.
—Christopher Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 28 Jan. 2026
The Last Gift Study, launched in 2017, combats that issue by conducting an autopsy immediately after a patient’s death.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Fit was prioritized on the upper, which combats wrinkles at the toe box and hosts a better lacing system and a new heel sling.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
His ability to reset and stay attached combats longer, more powerful opponents.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Bodies in motion are intercut with a bespoke gun factory’s grinding gears; human combats are juxtaposed with VR imagery or first-person shooter games.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Housed in a convenient, swipeable stick applicator, the fast-absorbing gel relieves puffiness, combats dryness, and plumps the appearance of fine lines on contact, thus creating a smooth canvas for ensuing concealer.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
This proactive boundary setting manages stakeholder expectations, combats scope creep and forces ruthless focus on the absolute core, driving true agility over bloat.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combats
Verb
-
Even as the county fights to preserve services amid ongoing fiscal struggles, the budget cuts could lead to closures in behavioral health clinics and potential delays to some healthcare.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
2 May 2026
-
Demonizing the opponent is an effective political tactic and each side fights fire with fire.—
Andrew Cuomo,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The advocacy group usually opposes UDB expansions, but Reynolds argues that Kelly should be going through the UDB expansion process with its plans.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
5 May 2026
-
Literature opposes this, asks us to slow down our metabolization of language, become aware of its bond and density.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The group highlighted the swift and professional actions of the pilots and firefighter first responders, noting that their efforts helped prevent the fire from spreading and ensured that all passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
-
Take away the highlands and the suburbs and the big round table, and these are two shows that tell stories through the words and actions of real people.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The game was delayed with just under six minutes on the clock after several skirmishes broke out, leading to the ejections of Seals captain Wes Berg and Toronto’s Elijah Gash.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That means the knock-down, drag-out government shutdown battles that have become a Washington ritual are, in effect, a fight over a little more than a quarter of the federal ledger.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the blueberry capital of Georgia, where flat coastal plains stretch out on either side of the road, there’s a good chance travelers will drive past fields of bushy blueberry crops growing in long, monotonous rows.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
10 May 2026
-
This small village on the Côte d’Azur, in France, is scented with fields of jasmine, rose, and lavender.—
Kelley Manley,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Not to worry, soccer aficionados — there’s an abundance of high-stakes clashes to tide you over until then.—
John Riker,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
-
Be aware of your short fuse as Mars clashes with Jupiter.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
That’s why the series’ episodes that focus specifically on his rivalries with other climbers, in particular Honnold and Hunt, feel the most enlightening.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
-
The unanimous decision came during a nine-hour-long meeting that included several tense moments arising out of longstanding political rivalries.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combats. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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