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
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.
Recent Examples of combat
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
The line touts the new ship as its most energy-efficient, running on liquified natural gas and capable of switching to future renewable fuels to help combat carbon emissions.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Members of the military in a combat zone during the tax filing season may also qualify for an additional extension of at least 180 days to file and pay taxes.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
During Trump’s first term, Paul, Weiss proudly joined litigation to combat the Administration’s family-separation policies.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
The line touts the new ship as its most energy-efficient, running on liquified natural gas and capable of switching to future renewable fuels to help combat carbon emissions.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
Research published in the Journal of Service Research found that third places, like malls, diners or cafés, help combat loneliness by providing spaces for social interaction and emotional support.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Members of the military in a combat zone during the tax filing season may also qualify for an additional extension of at least 180 days to file and pay taxes.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
-
In 2017, the administration fought hard and communicated clearly.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
While there is no vaccine to prevent the common cold nor a specific medicine to cure it, there are ways to manage your symptoms while your body fights the illness.—
Lauren Schlanger,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Based on pre- and post-debate data collected from the audience, Sey's stance on opposing trans athletes in women's sports appeared to be the winning argument.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Elon Musk, Trump’s top campaign donor and White House cost-cutting chief, is opposing Trump’s tariffs increasingly more openly.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The trees border pastures and fields of corn and beans.—
Jeffrey A. Brunk,
Outdoor Life,
10 Apr. 2025
-
There are 95 players in the field, the largest in a decade, even without five-time champion Tiger Woods, who had surgery in March to repair a torn Achilles tendon.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The clashes are a sign of growing tensions at the Lebanon-Syria border, northeast of the Beqaa valley, where predominantly Shiite Lebanese villages have seen skirmishes with Syrian soldiers in recent weeks.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
-
After his skirmish with Diarra, Neal waved his arms to fire up Creighton fans in the sellout crowd.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Michael Mann, Francis Ford Coppola, Nicolas Cage Pay Tribute to Actor By the time the sequel was filmed and finally came out — there were COVID delays as Tom Cruise (rightly) insisted on a theatrical release — Kilmer was quite deep into his battle with throat cancer.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2025
-
When The Brand Loses Its Voice — And Finds Its Power The most pivotal chapter in Kilmer’s brand evolution came through his battle with throat cancer — a diagnosis that would permanently alter his voice and threaten his ability to perform.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
On Friday, a Russian ballistic missile and drone attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih -- Zelenskyy's home town -- killed 19 people, including nine children.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2025
-
There has been a big labor split, however, with carpenters and laborers unions going heavily for Moreno — and waging tough attacks against Aguirre.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Since then, while tallies have fluctuated, the average has been around 180 clashes per day, an increase of about 30%.—
Andrew Carey and Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation The Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt The WrestleMania 31 match between The Undertaker and Bray Wyatt, a clash of dark characters, was disappointing for several reasons.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Ricky Steamboat From Clash Of The Champions 6 The intense rivalry between Ricky Steamboat and Flair produced some of the most celebrated matches in professional wrestling history.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
-
But in China, it is seen as a prime battleground in the U.S.-China rivalry.—
Ann Scott Tyson,
Christian Science Monitor,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share