COMBAT Synonyms: 175 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

combat 1 of 2

verb

kəm-ˈbat

Definition of combat next

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

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

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

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

truce

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

Examples of combat in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas makes a triumphant fifth-year return—this time in the exclusive Turtle Creek neighborhood after previously combatting permitting and parking issues in Preston Hollow. —

Anne Lee Phillips, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2024 His approach to combatting climate change involves no carbon taxes or credits—another major departure, not just from his predecessors but also from the policies of many other countries. —

Nicholas Lemann, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024

Noun

As many as 8,000 North Korean troops are in Russia’s Kursk region and are expected to enter combat against Ukraine in the coming days, top US officials announced this week. —

Kostyantyn Hak, Darya Tarasova and Sophie Tanno, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024 One of them, Jaime, was shot in the chest in combat and received a Purple Heart, Garcia said. —

Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for combat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat

Verb

The Santa Clara County Fire Department has more than three times the space to fight fires in the Santa Cruz Mountains with last week’s opening of the Redwood Fire Station.

Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
It was named after longtime California legislator Vincent Thomas, who had fought to build it for decades.

Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024