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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combats
Verb
-
Later, Hudak filed a motion to stay the judge’s order until there is an outcome of the appeal, something that the AP opposes.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025 -
The president’s billionaire cost-cutting adviser Elon Musk, who opposes tariffs, is taking aim at the president’s top trade adviser, Peter Navarro, to express his disgust with the burgeoning trade war.—
Jonathan Easley,
The Hill,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Tesla shares have dropped 37 percent so far in 2025 as Musk has faced criticism and protests for some of his political remarks and actions.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
-
These seemingly small actions can lead to dry grass ignition, potentially sparking a wildfire.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Following a division in season guarantees drama and the playoffs, and the AFC North — with the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns — showcases bitter rivalries that make for good TV.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2025
-
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have one of the bitterest rivalries in all of sports.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Israel says most of these are militants, but youths throwing stones and people not involved in confrontations have also been killed.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2025
-
There were a couple of confrontations when the game got heated in the fourth quarter, but the Kings wouldn’t back down.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
4 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
With 11 goals and three assists across 23 appearances in all competitions, Diaz is thriving up front under Arne Slot and was the star player in a stunning 6-3 victory at Tottenham Hotspur.—
Gregg Evans,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Indeed, Pep Guardiola’s team have won just one of their last 12 fixtures in all competitions with Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa dropping the defending Premier League champions down to seventh in the table, notably below Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Combats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combats. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share