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
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Recent Examples of combat
Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Facility and Official Responses Contrary to some media accounts, DHS has combated reports of widespread unrest or additional security events at Delaney Hall.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 16 June 2025
After the overnight combat, the Israeli death toll has now risen to at least 13, including three minors, according to officials in the country.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
Efforts to combat overtourism have resulted in a 10-euro daytripper entrance fee on weekends and peak periods while more residents are pushed out every year due to a dwindling lack of services like schools, hospitals and affordable housing.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
Facility and Official Responses Contrary to some media accounts, DHS has combated reports of widespread unrest or additional security events at Delaney Hall.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Noun
In the photo, Galitzine stood with his back to the camera, flexing his arm muscles while in costume: an ensemble of arm gear, tall combat boots and a long sword.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 16 June 2025
After the overnight combat, the Israeli death toll has now risen to at least 13, including three minors, according to officials in the country.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
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Tyrrell Herndon The 39-year-old Wilder has not fought since June 1, 2024, when Zhilei Zhang stopped him via TKO in the fifth round of a matchup at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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The city argued the policy was confidential, and would interfere with the department’s ability to fight crime.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Within the classroom, the Trump policy has meant opposing curriculum that allows for more than a binary — male or female — expression of gender.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Adding this kind of power alongside Aaron Judge would create nightmares for opposing pitchers.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Noun
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In April, Xi traveled to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia to sign agreements on trade, technology, and other fields in a region that had, in recent years, developed deeper partnerships with the United States but was hit hard by Trump’s tariffs earlier that month.—
Oriana Skylar Mastro,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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In addition to the Vienna field study, the company offers courses to professional and civic leaders on housing policy and homelessness.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
Noun
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The protests were substantially peaceful, although small skirmishes resulting in arrests, damage to property and injuries broke out when police tried to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas.—
Megan Schrader,
Denver Post,
22 June 2025
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The Fever emerged with an 88-71 win after a game that featured a pair of skirmishes, including a fight in the final minute that led to three ejections.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
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While the legal battle is ongoing, the judge's ruling is an early win for the states and a setback for the Trump administration.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
25 June 2025
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That same month, Adams withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic primary, saying the legal battle had prevented him from effectively campaigning.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Sunday’s attacks follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comments two days ago that Moscow is ready for a fresh round of direct peace talks in Istanbul.—
Volodymyr Yurchuk,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2025
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Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine despite talks between the two countries in Istanbul, which were supposed to lead to a ceasefire.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
29 June 2025
Noun
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India, the fanatical cricket country, against England, the founding fathers of the game, will be a clash of styles.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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The clash between the two drivers was likely carried forward from the previous race in Detroit, where McLaughlin crashed into Siegel from behind, causing him to get knocked out of the race.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Noun
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McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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In the final, Waters renewed her years-long rivalry against her former doubles partner and won with ease 6,1.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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