variants
or combatted
1
as in fought
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 opposed
to strive to reduce or eliminate
must marshal all of our resources to combat this disease
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 combated
In the midst of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, TNG also combated racial discrimination in the news industry in hiring and promotion.
—
Errol Salamon, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2026
Catholic and Lutheran churches and mutual benefit societies preserved cultural heritage, combated isolation and shaped the new state’s religious culture for generations.
—Daniel Cueto-Villalobos, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026
This phrase was born on social media and its effects can be combatted with intervention from parents.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 20 Dec. 2025
Pureval countered that the city leadership combatted crime through numerous measures, including implementing a stricter curfew and recruiting more officers.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
The amendment also restores $100,000 for the Right to Counsel program, which has combatted homelessness by providing legal assistance to more than 10,000 families facing eviction.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 2025
The landmark document, made known by Pope Paul VI in 1965, denounced antisemitism and combatted the narrative that Jews should be collectively blamed for Jesus’ crucifixion.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Long before the creation of DEI departments formally driving pedagogy in public schools, the ADL had proudly hailed itself as an organization that combatted antisemitism and other forms of bigotry.
—Sahar Mustafah
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
The Grammy winner combated the high temperatures in Long Beach by wearing a pair of open micro-denim shorts and a white T-shirt that’s part of her album merchandise, and covered her growing baby bump.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Errol Salamon, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2026
Catholic and Lutheran churches and mutual benefit societies preserved cultural heritage, combated isolation and shaped the new state’s religious culture for generations.
—Daniel Cueto-Villalobos, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026
This phrase was born on social media and its effects can be combatted with intervention from parents.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 20 Dec. 2025
Pureval countered that the city leadership combatted crime through numerous measures, including implementing a stricter curfew and recruiting more officers.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
The amendment also restores $100,000 for the Right to Counsel program, which has combatted homelessness by providing legal assistance to more than 10,000 families facing eviction.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 2025
The landmark document, made known by Pope Paul VI in 1965, denounced antisemitism and combatted the narrative that Jews should be collectively blamed for Jesus’ crucifixion.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Long before the creation of DEI departments formally driving pedagogy in public schools, the ADL had proudly hailed itself as an organization that combatted antisemitism and other forms of bigotry.
—Sahar Mustafah
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
The Grammy winner combated the high temperatures in Long Beach by wearing a pair of open micro-denim shorts and a white T-shirt that’s part of her album merchandise, and covered her growing baby bump.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combated
Verb
-
The war with Iran is now the second major conflict to demonstrate that the age of mass drone warfare has fully arrived — and with it, a fundamental shift in how conflicts are fought.—
Alexander Benard,
Washington Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Over 40 Illinois municipalities have since adopted these harmful policies, while many simultaneously fought to prevent social service providers from helping people survive and transition out of homelessness.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Reggie Miller was opposed, but Kyle Korver and Larry Bird were open to it.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Democrats have opposed the president’s efforts but long ago sacrificed the moral high ground.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The senior running back has battled injuries throughout much of spring camp.—
Gabriel Duarte,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Taylor battled substance abuse issues after leaving the NFL.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combated. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
