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
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
Jasmine Crowe-Houston is the founder of Goodr, an organization that regularly combats food waste by collaborating with businesses, foundations, governments, and sports teams to provide high-quality food to local communities.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 31 Oct. 2025
Nourish Up, an organization that combats hunger in Mecklenburg County through food banks, grocery delivery and the meals on wheels program, served 164,000 people in 2024 alone.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
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
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
Jasmine Crowe-Houston is the founder of Goodr, an organization that regularly combats food waste by collaborating with businesses, foundations, governments, and sports teams to provide high-quality food to local communities.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 31 Oct. 2025
Nourish Up, an organization that combats hunger in Mecklenburg County through food banks, grocery delivery and the meals on wheels program, served 164,000 people in 2024 alone.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
-
After years making other kinds of headlines in their community, their split is now playing out publicly as Mike fights to have the court enforce the couple’s prenuptial agreement, which would pay Constance a lump sum of $1 million.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
These fights often concern cuisines that rarely see the spotlight.—
Jamie Feldmar,
Saveur,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yet while most of the country opposes the Iran conflict, Republican voters maintain their support for the president’s actions — a major factor in the defeat of Thursday’s measure.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Hezbollah, which opposes the talks and was not represented, escalated attacks on northern Israel as negotiations began.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Chatty Mercury in your 11th House of Friends conjoins fiery Mars there, so teamwork speeds up and plans move from ideas to actions.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The startup released in February various updates intended to help software developers, including giving AI agents the ability to test their coding changes and record their actions via videos, logs and screenshots.—
Deirdre Bosa,Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Grandmasters chronicles the rivalries, reinventions, and personal battles shaping the modern pursuit of greatness in the game of kings.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Passages range from the creation of the world to bloody battles and apocalyptic destruction, from exhortations to love of God, neighbor and the needy to passages telling of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The women farmers agree that in the chile pepper fields, the demanding nature of the work discourages men.—
Kamala Thiagarajan,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Bartolo was born and raised in the Arkansas River Valley, where water rights sell-offs to Front Range cities in the 1970s decimated farm fields and towns.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When the lawsuit was originally filed in October, Operation Midway Blitz was in full swing, with near-daily clashes between immigration agents and protesters on the streets and outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in suburban Broadview.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Bieber has had clashes with the paparazzi, and has sent ambiguous messages over social media hinting at his sorrow.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Alexander Wynaendts, supervisory board chairman at Deutsche Bank, said Wednesday that Europe needs to reduce regulations and boost its output to compete with China and the US despite challenges posed by the Middle East war and intra-regional rivalries.—
Steve Gelsi,
semafor.com,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The postseason format the NHL brought back with the divisional realignment for the 2013-14 season to intensify the first round and double down on regional rivalries has occasionally proved controversial.—
Dave Campbell,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combats. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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