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
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
When the Federal Reserve started hiking its benchmark rate in early 2022 to combat inflation, credit card rates went up in tandem, and at one point even hit a new record-high.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
While fans of the previous games may prefer something closer to the Ezio adventures, most gamers will love Ubisoft’s intuitive combat system and beautifully detailed world.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
Expanding economic opportunity to combat historic disinvestment and high poverty rates.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
When the Federal Reserve started hiking its benchmark rate in early 2022 to combat inflation, credit card rates went up in tandem, and at one point even hit a new record-high.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Noun
Janet Mills, the governor of Maine, has suspended her Senate campaign, leaving Graham Platner—a combat veteran and oyster farmer who has never been elected to office—a clear path to the Democratic nomination in a key national race.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
While fans of the previous games may prefer something closer to the Ezio adventures, most gamers will love Ubisoft’s intuitive combat system and beautifully detailed world.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
-
At that point, the White House needs approval from the legislative branch to continue fighting, according to the War Powers Resolution, a law aimed at reasserting Congress’ constitutional role of declaring war.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 May 2026
-
Dyson Daniels and Mitchell Robinson were ejected after fighting following a pair of free throws from Anunoby that gave the Knicks a 50-point lead in the second quarter.—
Maura Carey,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
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That means cutting federal regulations driving up housing costs, lowering the tax burden on working families, opposing any new gas or vehicle mileage taxes and cutting reckless spending that drives inflation.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
The Moon in Capricorn moves through your 10th House of Career, opposing Jupiter in your 4th, highlighting that tension.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
With a pour of salsa roja, tart and hot (but not overly so), or a more judicious application of the punishingly spicy salsa verde, the bean and cheese transforms into a kinetic flavor field of curves and spikes.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
Beran dumped a double onto the foul line in left field with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Geneva (19-3, 8-2) the lead for good.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination for the second straight game with a clutch Game 5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, but celebrations were briefly halted when a skirmish erupted over a controversial hit on Sidney Crosby after the final buzzer.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Walker, in a 10-pitch skirmish, drew a walk.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The project is particularly acrimonious, drawing out geographical battles between north and south and thorny fights between officials who want to build the tunnel and environmentalists and Delta residents seeking to protect the local ecosystem and their way of life.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Without losing a man or a ship, Dewey’s squadron destroyed the Spanish fleet in the first American naval battle against a foreign power in almost five decades.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The Kings have prioritized defense for most of the past two decades, often playing a sticky, trapping style that doesn’t promote offensive creativity or attack.—
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Severe is the second-highest rung on a five-point scale and means intelligence agencies consider an attack highly likely in the next six months.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
In some cases, the panel couldn’t even identify ICE or Border Patrol agents involved in high-profile clashes.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The group of cyclists, who fell after the clash, collided into the side of the SUV and fell onto the pavement.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Westin was the dominant force in Friday’s crosstown rivalry game.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Nilan and Miller spent a lot of those minutes punching each other, Nilan as a Canadien and Miller as a Bruin, during the 1980s iteration of the ancient rivalry.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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