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
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Long before that, his son worked hard to be a servant leader, combatting a silver-spoon stigma by working as a ballboy, among other unglamorous jobs.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
The weapons and shield forge a fascinating offshoot from the combat of the first two games.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
As a result, many parts of the California coastline have already initiated prevention methods to combat rising sea levels.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Long before that, his son worked hard to be a servant leader, combatting a silver-spoon stigma by working as a ballboy, among other unglamorous jobs.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Noun
The Chinese navy, currently the largest in the world by hull count, has recently reached a major milestone by equipping each of three fleets with an oceangoing hospital ship, which experts claim can be deployed simultaneously to support different combat fronts.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
The weapons and shield forge a fascinating offshoot from the combat of the first two games.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
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Holland has been one of the more active UFC competitors since losing that contest by decision, fighting at middleweight and welterweight.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Frustrated Democrats are fighting to counter President Trump’s flood-the-zone approach by adopting a mirror strategy with a simple goal: To flood the zone right back.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The legislation, Senate Bill 8, passed on a largely party-line vote of 87 to 59, with 13 Democrats opposed and one Republican, Rep. Tom Delnicki of South Windsor, in favor.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
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Some medical practitioners also opposed the measure.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
30 May 2025
Noun
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There’s plenty of room to roam, with wide-open views and U-pick fields that shift with the season—blueberries ripen in June and July, followed by early apples in August.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
31 May 2025
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Indeed, its operating income is enviable despite losing regularly on the field and missing out on results bonuses; the brand remains strong, leading to sponsorship interest and making a killing from vending masses of match tickets and merchandise, for instance.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Nuñez warned that more skirmishes could occur on Sunday as PSG will parade on the Champs-Élysées before celebrating the title with their fans at the Parc des Princes stadium.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
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Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of land disputes, though Thailand said after the short skirmish that the situation had been resolved.—
DAVID RISING,
Arkansas Online,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Fires and recovery Crews battle fire burning in Pala, evacuations underway in northern San Diego County.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
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Recently, a German court quietly ended a landmark legal battle that had spanned nearly a decade.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
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But after the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the movie was retooled with a new finale before being released in theaters on June 21, 2002.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
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The Pacers, behind an unrelenting uptempo attack and superior depth, have won the third and fourth quarters in both games, as well as overtime in Game 1.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2025
Noun
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The clash between Villaraigosa’s environmentalist credentials and oil-industry ties surfaced in the governor’s race after Valero announced in late April that its Bay Area refinery would close next year, not long after Phillips 66 said its Wilmington refinery would close in 2025.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
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Trump tests legal strategies as judges block his policies As the clash becomes a defining moment in the president's second term, conservative activists are pushing Congress to rein in federal judges and pressing Trump to intensify his fight with the courts.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
Noun
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How can the club improve its image around the world, where international fans are less concerned with local rivalries?—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
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This is also a historic rivalry, so that's why so many people are tuning in.—
Ryan Stano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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