1
as in fights
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 opposes
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 actions
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 skirmishes
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 battles
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 combats
Helen Dennis, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Aeration helps oxygen reach roots and combats the effects of compacting, but making sure your lawn continues to breathe is key to keeping it consistently green.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 17 Apr. 2026
The best weed-and-feed product combats the weed population in your lawn and meets the fertilizer needs of your turf.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2026
Mix cinnamon with warm water to create a spray that combats fungal issues and discourages pests from returning.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026
Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream The Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream is a fragrance-free, multitasking formula that combats wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
This combats dynamic pricing based on your search history, which could lead to higher fares.
—Christopher Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 28 Jan. 2026
The Last Gift Study, launched in 2017, combats that issue by conducting an autopsy immediately after a patient’s death.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Fit was prioritized on the upper, which combats wrinkles at the toe box and hosts a better lacing system and a new heel sling.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 5 Dec. 2025
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Housed in a convenient, swipeable stick applicator, the fast-absorbing gel relieves puffiness, combats dryness, and plumps the appearance of fine lines on contact, thus creating a smooth canvas for ensuing concealer.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
This proactive boundary setting manages stakeholder expectations, combats scope creep and forces ruthless focus on the absolute core, driving true agility over bloat.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Regular physical activity helps reduce blood pressure, eases arthritic pain, combats chronic illness and lifts your mood.
—Helen Dennis, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Aeration helps oxygen reach roots and combats the effects of compacting, but making sure your lawn continues to breathe is key to keeping it consistently green.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 17 Apr. 2026
The best weed-and-feed product combats the weed population in your lawn and meets the fertilizer needs of your turf.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2026
Mix cinnamon with warm water to create a spray that combats fungal issues and discourages pests from returning.
—Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026
Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream The Eight Saints Retinol Facial Moisturizer Cream is a fragrance-free, multitasking formula that combats wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin.
—Essence Wiley, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026
This combats dynamic pricing based on your search history, which could lead to higher fares.
—Christopher Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 28 Jan. 2026
The Last Gift Study, launched in 2017, combats that issue by conducting an autopsy immediately after a patient’s death.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Fit was prioritized on the upper, which combats wrinkles at the toe box and hosts a better lacing system and a new heel sling.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
Bodies in motion are intercut with a bespoke gun factory’s grinding gears; human combats are juxtaposed with VR imagery or first-person shooter games.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Housed in a convenient, swipeable stick applicator, the fast-absorbing gel relieves puffiness, combats dryness, and plumps the appearance of fine lines on contact, thus creating a smooth canvas for ensuing concealer.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 14 Mar. 2026
This proactive boundary setting manages stakeholder expectations, combats scope creep and forces ruthless focus on the absolute core, driving true agility over bloat.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for combats
Verb
-
Ever since, fans have been hooked to see how the friend group navigate fights big and small.—
Colleen Kratofil,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The 31-year-old McKee (24-2), who fights out of Long Beach, continues his pursuit to reclaim his place atop the 145-pound division.—
Brian Martin,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to a survey conducted by Emerson College Polling in late March, a majority of Floridians — including a majority of independents — opposes mid-decade redistricting.—
Allyson Meyers,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Take the issue of AI data centers, which Fishback opposes in Florida due to their high cost of operation.—
Thomas C. Shank,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the Moon moves through your 10th House of Visibility, your actions speak louder than your intentions.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Avdija took exception to Castle’s actions and shoved him.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That means the knock-down, drag-out government shutdown battles that have become a Washington ritual are, in effect, a fight over a little more than a quarter of the federal ledger.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But because of seeing the phone on the surveillance video, police got a warrant to search Google's location data for all phones within about one-and-a-half football fields of the bank during the half-hour on either side of the robbery.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
-
California’s fertile farm fields once enticed thousands of Dust Bowl refugees fleeing along Route 66 during the Great Depression.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Transportation future While most Coloradans want properly maintained roads, Restore Our Roads clashes with voters’ broader wishes, said Matt Frommer, transportation and land use policy manager for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, an environmental advocacy group.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Last year, clashes between farmers and herders in southwestern Chad left 42 people dead and several homes burned.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the course of three decades, multiple law enforcement agencies tried to crack the case as conspiracy theories involving complex gang and music-related rivalries swirled.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The film traces his long-running bid to step out of Chun’s shadow and claim the top seat himself, examining the web of alliances, rivalries, and institutional maneuvers that defines his ascent.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Combats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/combats. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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