combat

1 of 3

noun

com·​bat ˈkäm-ˌbat How to pronounce combat (audio)
Synonyms of combatnext
1
: a fight or contest between individuals or groups
2
: conflict, controversy
3
: active fighting in a war : action
casualties suffered in combat

combat

2 of 3

verb

com·​bat kəm-ˈbat How to pronounce combat (audio) ˈkäm-ˌbat How to pronounce combat (audio)
combated or combatted; combating or combatting

intransitive verb

: to engage in combat : fight

transitive verb

1
: to fight with : battle
2
: to struggle against
especially : to strive to reduce or eliminate
combat pollution

combat

3 of 3

adjective

com·​bat ˈkäm-ˌbat How to pronounce combat (audio)
1
: relating to combat
combat missions
2
: designed or destined for combat
combat boots
combat troops

Synonyms of combat

Relevance

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for combat

oppose, combat, resist, withstand mean to set oneself against someone or something.

oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare.

opposed the plan

combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something.

combat disease

resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it.

resisting temptation

withstand suggests a more passive resistance.

trying to withstand peer pressure

Examples of combat in a Sentence

Noun Some of these soldiers have never seen combat. He was killed in combat. Verb The drug helps combat infection. She dedicated her life to combating poverty. Exercise can help combat the effects of stress. The mayor pledged to combat crime. They have been combating the rebels for months.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
The Navy will be able to respond to the demands of modern combat with much greater speed and agility. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026 For him too, backyard fireworks resemble his combat experience. — Reg Chapman, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Verb
Use natural brighteners like vinegar, lemon juice, or sunlight to combat yellowing and dullness. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 The country has increasingly turned to technology to combat the threat of fires, exacerbated by climate change. — ABC News, 1 July 2026
Adjective
When his brother was killed, he was placed in a non-combat unit. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025 Lopez had served a non-combat tour in Iraq as a truck driver and was evaluated for a traumatic brain injury. — Hanna Park, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for combat

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from combatre to attack, fight, from Vulgar Latin *combattere, from Latin com- + battuere to beat

First Known Use

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1564, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of combat was in 1548

Phrases Containing combat

Browse Nearby Words

combassou
combat
combatant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Combat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/combat. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

combat

1 of 2 noun
com·​bat ˈkäm-ˌbat How to pronounce combat (audio)
1
: a fight or contest between individuals or groups
2
: conflict entry 1 sense 2
3
: active fighting in a war : action
soldiers experienced in combat

combat

2 of 2 verb
com·​bat kəm-ˈbat How to pronounce combat (audio)
ˈkäm-ˌbat
combated or combatted; combating or combatting
1
: to fight with : battle
2
: to struggle against
especially : to strive to reduce or eliminate
combat disease

More from Merriam-Webster on combat

Nglish: Translation of combat for Spanish Speakers

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