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
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 27 Aug. 2025
The president has deployed more than 2,000 National Guard troops to the nation's capital, which the administration says is necessary to combat what Trump characterizes as a high rate of violent crime.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
The person, who CNN reported was a 20-year combat veteran, was arrested for violating the National Park Service’s fire policy.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
Moore previously questioned the president for describing Baltimore as crime-ridden and in need of federal intervention to combat violent crime.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 27 Aug. 2025
The president has deployed more than 2,000 National Guard troops to the nation's capital, which the administration says is necessary to combat what Trump characterizes as a high rate of violent crime.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
Playing the main villain who causes the mayhem in the Daniel Dae Kim-starring series suits the actor just fine for now — in hopes that a season two could see her character, Juno, really letting hand-to-hand combat and bullets fly following that cliffhanger season one finale.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
The person, who CNN reported was a 20-year combat veteran, was arrested for violating the National Park Service’s fire policy.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
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To move the 250 million gallons of refined fuel the Navy needs to fight, the fleet will require at least 23 tankers.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Two engines and one hand crew are all continuing to fight the fire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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It was frowned upon to fraternize with opposing players during batting practice, so hugging them in the first inning would be totally out of the question.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
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The only relative known to oppose the brothers’ release was Kitty’s brother, Milton Andersen, who died earlier this year.—
Matthew J. Friedman,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The domed facility features a turf sports field, a multi-sports court, a track, multipurpose rooms, fitness areas, lockers, showers and bathrooms.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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At the facility, the newest officers from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations arm will undergo an eight-week training course covering topics ranging from immigration law to firearms and driving safety before they are sent to a field office to begin working alongside their peers.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Dodgers were held to three hits by Yu Darvish and the San Diego Padres’ bullpen and the Padres took a 2-1 victory in the opener of this weekend’s NL West skirmish.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
23 Aug. 2025
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Liam Gallagher has been barred from his traditional maracas tossing at Oasis’ reunion concerts after crowd skirmishes in pursuit of the instruments resulted in injuries.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Their legal battle was resolved earlier this summer, with the ACC agreeing to a new split of multimedia revenue based partly on football and men’s basketball viewership.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
24 Aug. 2025
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South closed in 2022 after Guyton’s divorce and a legal battle over the restaurant with her ex-husband.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Blue Fire is the largest fire as of this report, estimated at about 20 acres by air attack.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Two children were killed and 17 others were injured in the attack.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The clash of two talented rosters fueled by star power creates plenty of betting intrigue.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
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The victim, identified as 21-year-old Affan Kurniawan, was reportedly completing a food delivery service order when he was caught in the clash following days of violent demonstrations.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Ashcroft had been governor just before him, and the two were rumored to have a rivalry.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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Clubs have built the foundation by nurturing talent and rivalries, but every global sport is also powered by national pride.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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