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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of combat
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2025
If lawyers fail to combat this existential threat, who will?
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Leah Douglas, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Now, the Pentagon is finally close to placing hypersonic missiles with combat units.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Verb
The plot follows an unconventional partnership between a Taiwanese paranormal YouTuber and an Indian tech engineer who must join forces to combat a supernatural threat endangering both their worlds.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 May 2025
If lawyers fail to combat this existential threat, who will?
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
Richardson, a former Marine artillery officer and combat veteran, told staff in an all-hands call that was heavy on references to his military experience, that all decisions, including those on spending, would go through him.
—Leah Douglas, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Now, the Pentagon is finally close to placing hypersonic missiles with combat units.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for combat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combat
Verb
-
Mothers whose children were killed by drunk drivers fight grief through Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or M.A.D.D.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
9 May 2025
-
Lawyers for the county are fighting to shield much of the expert testimony from a jury if the case goes to trial.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
Verb
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The Motion Picture Association adamantly opposed that idea, and supported the right of other countries to offer film incentives.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
5 May 2025
-
The House narrowly approved a spending blueprint that aims to find $1.5 trillion in spending cuts before Trump released his proposal, despite the defections of two Republicans who joined Democrats in opposing the plan.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Noun
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Both teams’ trainers joined EMS to get him onto a cart and off the field.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 May 2025
-
Patrick, 29, and Brady, 47 — who have a history, both on and off the field — snapped a photo together at the exclusive bash, which was held at Carbone Miami on South Beach.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
But the pause comes amid a backdrop of daily skirmishes, largely by drone warfare.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
Not about the economic turmoil from tariffs, any one of the skirmishes playing out abroad, or a surprise shake-up in his White House staff.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Wingard’s sequel is a bit more abstract than its predecessor, focusing too much on strange world-building and too little on the battle between our two beloved heavies.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
-
This, after an epic indoor fireworks battle — among other shenanigans — had the place looking like a warzone in videos.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2025
Noun
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The attack left about 1,200 people dead, and militants captured Alexander and some 250 others to hold hostage. 'Greatest gift': Family of NJ's Edan Alexander heads to Israel as Hamas agrees to release How many hostages remain in Gaza?—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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In late August, Schuyler belatedly learned that Washington was preparing a second prong of attack, which would depart from Massachusetts and make its way north through the wilds of Maine and Quebec under Arnold’s command.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Dugan's arrest has escalated a clash between the Trump administration and Democrats over the Republican president's sweeping immigration crackdown.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
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Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s arrest and ensuing indictment has escalated a clash between President Trump’s administration and local authorities over the Republican’s sweeping immigration crackdown.—
Todd Richmond,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
Noun
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She is locked in a bitter rivalry with the Bears, whose growing presence and destructive ways threaten the land she is sworn to protect, by any means necessary.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
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While their rivalry has had plenty of back-and-forth, this match may be the easiest to predict.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combat. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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